Does Depression Lower Abortion Rates?

Sex is a notorious depression balm — a recent study of Australian women provides evidence for this. But does pregnancy fill the same role?

A research team from the University of Newcastle found that one in 10 Australian moms suffers from post-natal depression (and it’s likely that she had pre-pregnancy depression as well).

At the same time, new data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Health and Relationships shows a dramatic decline in Australia’s abortion rate and a rise in its birth rate.

Julia Shelley of Deakin University in Melbourne cites increased condom use and a general rise in enthusiasm for child-bearing as possible explanations for less abortions and more births.

Though pregnancy doesn’t guarantee happiness, might women hoping for short-term depression relief be part of the reason for this birthing enthusiasm?

Any Australians care to weigh in?