Antenatal depression may not only alter development of stress - related biological systems in the fetus, but may also increase risk of obstetrical
complications.6 Postnatal depression may also be an early life stressor given known associations with lower levels of sensitive, responsive care needed for infants» development of health attachment relationships, emotional regulation skills, interpersonal skills and stress response mechanisms.7 Early life stressors, such as those that might be associated with maternal depression, can influence brain development, which continues
at a rapid pace
at least for several years after birth.8 Problems in any of these aspects of development may disrupt the earliest
stages of socio - emotional and cognitive development, predisposing to the
later development of depression or other disorders.