Women are more likely to become depressed while they are pregnant, rather than after their babies are born, new research indicates.

Over 9,000 women were assessed at weeks 18 and 32 of their pregnancy and then again eight weeks and eight months after their children were born.

The results found that almost 12% of women had probable depression at week 18, rising to 13.5% at week 32.

However this figure dropped to 9% eight weeks after the birth. Eight months later, it was found to be just over 8%.

While postnatal depression has been a recognised problems for some years now, very little research into depression during pregnancy has been carried out.

The researchers are calling for more studies into the effects of such depression on both mother and baby.

The results of the study appear in the latest edition of the ‘British Medical Journal‘.