One in five women experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after giving birth. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a set of 10 questions that can help you and your health care provider get a better sense of how you’re feeling. The EPDS is not intended to provide a diagnosis but it can indicate if you are experiencing symptoms that are common in women with depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the year following the birth of a child.
Depending on your score, we will share various resources, supports or steps that you can take to feel better. Please remember, this is not a diagnosis and we strongly encourage you to speak with your health care provider about how you are feeling.
If you have questions or want to talk to a Registered Nurse, contact Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s CARELine at 613-966-5500 ext 223, or careline@hpeph.ca.
By completing this screening tool, you are giving your permission for your responses to be sent to Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH). No personal identifying information will be collected in this screening tool. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will only use the screening responses for the purpose of identifying resources and supports that are needed in the community.
References:
Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M. and Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 782-786.
