Prenatal education program decreases postpartum depression and increases maternal confidence: A longitudinal quasi-experimental study in urban Japan

Background Mothers in urban Japan are at high risk for postpartum depression. Previous research indicates that parents who understand their baby’s behavior may have lower risks for postpartum depression. HUG Your Baby helps parents understand their baby’s behavior. Aim The purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine whether mothers receiving prenatal HUG Your Baby teaching would have better outcomes than a control group with respect to postpartum depression and related factors. Methods Pregnant women, after thirty weeks’ gestation, were recruited to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group received HUG Your Baby education, which teaches how to recognize and respond to a baby’s behavior. The control group received a leaflet and regular, prenatal treatment. Participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, and three other scales at one and three months, postpartum. Questions about knowledge of baby’s behavior was administered prenatally, and at one and three months, postpartum. Findings Data derived from 221 mothers (Control 100, Intervention 121) were included in the analysis. Researchers found significant differences regarding postpartum depression at one and three months and parenting confidence at one month. Scores were favorable for the intervention group. Conclusions The HUG Your Baby program has a positive impact on preventing postpartum depression and increasing parenting confidence. It warrants wider implementation and evaluation in prenatal programs.