248. Depression common for men and women after birth of their baby
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new study suggests that depression can be common for men and women after birth of their baby and for the first year after delivery. In the study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, researchers at the University College London compiled data from 23 previous studies involving close to 30,000 couples in 15 countries. They examined rates of depression during pregnancy and through the first year after childbirth. They observed that roughly one in ten mothers suffer from depression in the perinatal period. But in about one in 30 couples, both parents may struggle with depression after the birth of their child. Some of the factors the researchers found to be associated with depression included frequent arguments between the parents, low relationship satisfaction, financial struggles, low social support, and fathers working long hours.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
