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Abstract

Perinatal depression is a challenging condition, associated with multiple risk factors: personal, sociocultural, pregnancy-related and perinatal experience. A 29-year-old Roma woman, married and with a daughter, started the pregnancy surveillance with her family doctor for a desired low-risk pregnancy. During the second trimester ultrasound a female fetus was identified. The patient repeatedly expressed a belief and hope that "it can be a baby boy" sic. In subsequent visits, she expressed sadness, loss of appetite and significant weight loss, though she never perceived these symptoms as pathological.

Cultural dimensions play a significant role in shaping the perception and experience of motherhood. In this case, the mother's gender expectation appeared to be a major risk factor for the development of perinatal depression, within a community where traditional patriarchal gender roles are deeply valued.