vermai1@mcmaster.ca, candice.luo@medportal.ca, vanlierj@mcmaster.ca, gundys@mcmaster.ca

Hypertensive disorders are the most common complication encountered by women during pregnancy, affecting 2-3% of all pregnancies worldwide. The negative effects of these disorders can have a life-threatening impact on both the mother and baby,

which can result in a stressful experience for new mothers. It is hypothesized that these types of experiences can lead to psychological distress, and thus poor postpartum mental health outcomes or a development of a psychiatric illness.

 

This pilot study has been designed to investigate the relationship between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the postpartum mental health of women. Women who have been diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy are being recruited as cases, and women who have undergone a healthy delivery and postpartum course are being recruited as controls. This study consists of 4 timepoints of data collection, as each participant will be assessed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum. At each timepoint, measures include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Infant Behaviour Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for participants to complete. Additionally, participants are required to complete the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview with a research assistant at both 3 months and 12 months

postpartum via telephone.

 

If a relationship is established between a diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and poor mental health outcomes, women will be able to be better supported by their healthcare teams throughout their pregnancy and postpartum course.

 

 

 

3) Examine the trajectories of psychiatric illnesses in women who have experienced a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy