Which postpartum depression screening tool is commonly used, and what does a higher score indicate?

• A. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; higher score indicates less depression
• B. Beck Depression Inventory; higher score indicates better mood
• C. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale; higher score indicates possible anxiety
• D. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; higher score indicates greater risk and need for further assessment

Answer: (D)

The key idea is using a postpartum-specific screening tool to quickly identify women at risk and guide further care. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is the go‑to in this setting because it’s designed for new mothers and has validated cutoffs to flag those who may need more evaluation or referral. A higher score on this scale signals greater risk of postpartum depression and the need for additional assessment.

In contrast, general depression tools like the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale are not specific to the postpartum period. They measure overall depression severity, so while higher scores indicate more symptoms, they’re not as appropriate or routinely used for screening new mothers for postpartum depression.