During pregnancy, depression may result in poor prenatal care, premature delivery, low birth weight, and, just possibly,
depression in the child.
Depression after childbirth aka
postpartum depression can lead to child neglect, family breakdown, and suicide. A depressed mother may fail to bond emotionally with her newborn, raising the child’s risk of later cognitive delays and emotional and behavior problems.
If the depression is detected soon enough, help is available for mother and child.