A Model Of Maternal Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbearing with an estimated prevalence of 19.2% in the first three months after delivery (1). Depressive episodes (major and mild) may be experienced by approximately half of women during the first postpartum year (1). Characterized by depressed mood, loss of pleasure or interest in daily activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, irritability, sleep and eating disturbances (2), its etiology is multi-faceted and complex (3;4).

This journal article did research about the cause and effect of breastfeeding on women who have postpartum depression (PPD). They did research on the mother’s mental health status at the different time of postpartum, and inspected how breastfeeding could affect the mothers. The research found out that the effect of breastfeeding on postnatal depression is heterogeneous. Whether or not the

The postpartum period is about going through change and transition from a woman to a new mother. This is a time where mothers restore muscle tone and connective tissue in the body after the birth of the baby. Although there is a dramatic change during the postpartum period, women’s body is nonetheless not fully stored to pre-pregnant physiology until about 6 months post-delivery (Osailan, 6). At this time, women need to receive special health and social support to prevent problems such as postpartum depression. During this period, culture plays a major role in the way a woman perceives and prepares for her birthing experience. In fact, the notions of birth and postnatal care vary considerably with cultural beliefs and traditional practices. Each culture has its own values, beliefs and practices related to pregnancy and birth (Osailan,1). In the United States, after a short hospital stay, moms and babies are sent home because it is expected for mothers to heal within 42 days after giving birth. Whereas in other societies like Mexico, the postpartum recovery is active long enough until the new mother is fully healed (Brenhouse). In the article, “Why Are America’s Postpartum Practices So Rough on New Mothers?” by Hilary Brenhouse, the author states, “With these rituals comes an acknowledgment, familial and federal, that the woman needs relief more at this time than at any other—especially if she has a career to return to—and that it takes weeks, sometimes months, to properly

Often the time after birth is a filled with joy and happiness due to the arrival of a new baby. However, for some mothers the birth of a baby leads to some complicated feelings that are unexpected. Up to 85% of postpartum woman experience a mild depression called “baby blues” (Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, & Alden, 2012). Though baby blues is hard on these mothers, another form of depression, postpartum depression, can be even more debilitating to postpartum woman. Postpartum depression affects about 15% (Lowdermilk et al., 2012) of postpartum woman. This disorder is not only distressing to the mother but to the whole family unit. This is why it is important for the nurse to not only recognize the signs and symptoms of a mother with postpartum depression, but also hopefully provide preventative care for the benefit of everyone involved.

Postpartum depression has been around for centuries, it was recognized as early as 1500 B.C. However, instead of seeing it as a medical issues it was viewed as witch craft or victims of witch craft. Later on in the 1920s one theory suggested these mood disorders were caused from suppressed homosexuality or incestuous urges. Postpartum depression was not even taught in schools because people believed that it was impossible for a pregnant woman to be depressed because pregnancy/birth of a child was a joyous occasion. Now fast forward to present day and postpartum depression is well known and is taken very seriously. Recent studies show that within the first year of giving birth one in five woman have experienced postpartum depression.

In the United States, as well as many other countries and cultures, postpartum depression is prevalent, but many times overlooked or not diagnosed. Postpartum depression is a “mood disorder that occurs with alarming frequency with documented prevalence of 10% to 15% during the first 3 months after delivery” (Horowitz, et. al, 2013, p. 287). Throughout hospitals, nurses are being educated about postpartum depression, which allows them to educate patients on what postpartum depression is and how to recognize the signs. If unrecognized and left untreated, women are at an increased risk of future depressive episodes and functional impairment (Katon et. al, 2014). There are many initiatives in place to increase the amount of screening and education that is occurring for postpartum depression.

The overview of this article is postpartum depression in rural Unites States communities. Researchers search to find the causes and effects of postpartum depression in rural US communities. There are many reasons this is a problem because it not only effects women but it effects children, the family unit as a whole, communities and many other areas as well. There are people that move to rural areas because the cost of living can be cheaper and a family that is trying to save money could view rural home life as a way to save money. There can be a downside though this becomes the lack of quality healthcare, poor education opportunities, distance is typically too far for many to be able to see quality services this all aides in the problems with Postpartum Depression. Nurses are the frontline in spotting postpartum depression and there needs to be more screening for this major problem.

A woman’s body goes through many changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. Women can experience “postpartum baby blues” a few days after they deliver. During the postpartum baby blues, mothers may experience “depression, fatigue, insomnia, headache, anxiety, sadness, and anger” (Lowdermilk, Perry & Cashion, 2014). If the symptoms do not subside in a few weeks post-delivery, a mother may be diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). The estimated prevalence of mother experiencing postpartum depression is around 10-15% (Lowdermilk et al., 2014). Postpartum depression can affect a woman’s everyday life and how she responds to having a new baby in her life. She may not feel as though she can take care of her baby which can become a problem.

The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model that takes into account a number of risks factors that can also assist in identifying symptoms associated with depression during the first week period of postpartum. This would establish a

It is normal for a woman to experience some sort of the ?baby blues? after delivery. Studies have found that 50% to 75% of women go through ?baby blues? in the days following giving birth (Beck, 2016). Symptoms of the ?baby blues? are crying, irritability, fatigue, and anxiety. Although these symptoms can cause some disturbance in normal routine and sometimes cause a new mom to worry, no treatment is required (Beck, 2016). When symptoms continue beyond ten days or become worse that is when a new mom should consult a doctor (Beck, 2016).

Depression is not experienced in the same manner and to the same extent by all age groups and sexes. It is a well known fact that women experience depression more than men. This is true regardless of economic status, racial and ethnic background. There are many factors responsible for this difference in the experience of depression. Research has shown that hormonal, biological, life cycle and psychological factors are mainly responsible for the higher rate of depression in women as compared to men. Research has also shown that the chemical processes of the brain, that control mood and emotions, are directly affected by hormones. The hormone secretions in women vary according to life cycles and periodical physical changes that women experience.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health disorder that can afflict mothers after birth. It can be triggered by a variety of factors. A lack of support can be associated with PPD and can compromise both the mother and infant (Corrigan, Kwasky, and Groh, 2015). Support can come from different sources such as friends, family, loved ones, community, and even the government. It can also come in many forms like emotional, financial, and even physical. The interventions utilized to prevent PPD in Ms. Doe’s case are mainly focused on educating the patient about postpartum depression and building the patient’s support system. A study by Kim, Connolly, and Tamim (2014) on the effects of social support around pregnancy on postpartum depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition diagnosed in birth mothers upon returning home from the hospital after giving birth and feeling adrift. Symptoms may include depressed mood or severe mood swings from the first few weeks, to up to six months after birth. While hormonal changes is just one of the many factors that contribute to PPD, sleep deprivation, lifestyle, and environment may also affect any new parent (Smith, & Segal, 2016). Although our knowledge about PPD has greatly advanced in recent years, many aspects of pregnancy and the postpartum depression process are not understood and could be contributing to the high prevalence and low treatment rates. Three areas need to be further addressed to better understand postpartum

“Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be”(Yellow Wallpaper.) Defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Depression: a state of feeling sad. Simple, right? Dead wrong. Clinical depression is one of the leading psychological disorders in the US, affecting over 17.5 million Americans.(Washington) Amongst the many forms of depression, there is postpartum depression, a more uncommon one. Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Gilman, is a paper in which Charlotte Gilman tells a fictionalized version of her experience with postpartum depression. The purpose of her writing this was “to save women from further suffering under the rest cure”(Hudock.) The progressive stages of postpartum depression are represented by the changing of the wallpaper, from baby blues, depression, and full blown psychosis.

The family I chose to work with was a primigravid mother and a first time father. Both of the parents were relatively young, the mother being nineteen years old and the father being twenty years old. My first encounter with the family was when the mother was in active labor. It was obvious that the parents had many concerns regarding the birthing process and felt anxious about the impending arrival of their child. The father had many questions for the nurse and was pacing anxiously around the room. This was an expected behavior for a first time father and I recognized and appreciated his apprehension. Several hours following the vaginal birth of their daughter I had the chance to sit down and talk to the parents. We discussed their specific concerns and questions.