BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Many expectant mothers like to choose caesarian section to give birth to the new baby in order to avoid postnatal depression. Unfortunately, it is useless, according to a recent study.¡¡

Having a planned caesarian section does not reduce a woman's risk of suffering from postnatal depression.

    "The method of delivery does not influence your risk of having postnatal depression," said Deirdre Murphy, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Dundee in Scotland, was quoted as saying by Reuters.  

    About 1/10 suffers from postnatal depression during their assessment of 14,000 women who filled in questionnaires eight weeks after delivering a healthy, full-term baby.

    However, the cause of depression are not detected.

    Many factors such as poor social circumstances, pregnancy at a very young or older age, being a first-time mother and difficult life events around the time of birth may raise the risk.

    The results of the study are also reassuring for women who have a complicated delivery because they show it does not put them at a higher risk of postnatal depression.

    "It suggests that a worry about postnatal depression is not good grounds for offering caesarian section," Murphy said. Enditem

    (Agencies)