What screening tool is commonly used for postpartum mood disorders?

• A. Beck Depression Inventory
• B. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
• C. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
• D. PHQ-9

Answer: (C)

Screening for postpartum mood disorders uses a brief tool that is validated specifically for the postpartum period and easy to administer. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale fits this need: it is a ten-item self-report questionnaire designed to screen for postpartum depression, focusing on mood and related symptoms over the past week. Its postpartum relevance, quick administration, and clear cutoffs make it a practical first step in identifying mothers who may need further evaluation or support. Because of these features, it is the most commonly used screening tool in maternity care settings.

Other tools are more general or more resource-intensive. The Beck Depression Inventory is a general depression measure, not tailored to the postpartum experience, and is longer to complete. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale is clinician-administered and emphasizes severity rather than screening, making it less convenient for routine postpartum use. The PHQ-9 is also a general depression screen not specific to the postpartum period, so while it can be used, the Edinburgh scale remains the standard for this context.