Takács L, et al. – Given that the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of plasma oxytocin are well-documented, researchers investigated the association of synthetic oxytocin (synOT) with maternal mood postpartum using a prospective design. Upon screening 260 women for depressive symptoms in the last trimester of pregnancy and then again 6 weeks and 9 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the investigators noted that synOT predicted a significantly lower risk of postpartum depression (PPD). A history of depression and negative childbirth experience were noted to enhance the risk for PPD. Outcomes indicated that synOT administered intrapartum does not affect maternal mood immediately but may come to effect some weeks following childbirth to protect mothers from developing PPD symptoms.