Postpartum Depression : Symptoms And Symptoms Essay

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).

Thesis: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can greatly effect new mothers. Knowing how to recognize their symptoms and treating it can greatly increase chances of a healthy, happy living.

The birthing process generally leaves women with overwhelming joy and happiness. However, some women do experience a period of postpartum blues lasting for a few days or at most a couple of weeks but goes away with the adjustment of having a baby (Postpartum Depression, 2013). A condition called Postpartum Depression Disorder (PPD) leaves a dark gray cloud over 10-20% of woman after birth that is recognized in individuals 3 weeks to a year after the delivery of their baby (Bobo & Yawn, 2014). PPD leaves new mothers feeling lonely, anxious, and hopeless (Bobo at el, 2014). Postpartum Depression is a cross cutting disorder that can affect any woman after the delivery of a baby regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, or education level (Postpartum Depression, 2013). Although this disorder affects more than 10% of women the article Concise Review for Physicians and Other Clinicians: Postpartum Depression reports that less than half of women with PPD are actually diagnosed with this condition (Bobo at el, 2014). It is important that postpartum women and their support systems receive education on what PPD consist of and ways to recognize the signs and symptoms of PPD so that a diagnosis is not overlooked. Early diagnosis is important because early recognition and treatment of the disorder yields for better results when treating individuals with PPD. In this paper I will deliver information about PPD based on recent literature,

Despite the physical changes that a woman is to expect during her pregnancy, a major concern that requires attention is a period of expected feelings of depression that a woman may encounter known as baby blues. Although normal, and expected baby blues can lead into post partum depression that involves a myriad of emotions and mood swings. If not addressed postpartum depression can lead to a more severe form of baby blues known in the clinical world as postpartum non-psychotic depression that requires professional intervention. The therapeutic goal during this time is to prevent the new mother from committing suicide where she poses a danger to both herself and her newborn.

Depression is a common problem during and after pregnancy; about thirteen percent of pregnant women and new mothers have depression (Women’s Health, par. 2). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression is defined as a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth (National Institute of Mental Health, par. 2). Even though the mothers that suffer from postpartum depression often think it is their fault, postpartum depression can happen to any mother. This is because it is a disorder that is out of their control, it is common among many mothers and it is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Mental health has become an important factor in a persons well-being and is recognized as having the same importance as physical health. The mental health of a person can determine how they act in society. Their mood and behavior can be severely affected in ways that family or friends don’t understand. A mood disorder that has a significant affect on family members is called postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in women who have given birth a few weeks prior. This mood disorder is diagnosed after two months or even longer, new mother can be continuously sad throughout the day and feel as though not having a connection with their baby. Doctors are not able to know which mother will have postpartum depression

According to two recent studies, 7-13% of all postpartum women suffer from depression. Even more alarming, the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers who have pre-term infants rises to 30-40% according to a recent review (Robertson E, Grace S, Wallington T, Stewart DE., 2004; Schmied V, Johnson M, Naidoo N, et al., 2013). Mood and anxiety disorders, specifically PPD, are severe, yet common complications in women of reproductive age. Undertreated depression in postpartum women is associated with health risks for both the mother and infant, making the goal of euthymia a top priority in the care of postpartum women. Current practice regarding PPD focuses on the triad approach of early detection and prevention, the use of pharmacotherapy, and the use of psychotherapy. However, the treatment of mental illness during pregnancy requires weighing the benefits of pharmacological treatment for the mother, to the risk of the medications on the growth and development of the fetus as well as the theoretical risks associated with undertreated depression. However, many studies are showing that the risks of postpartum depression to both the mother and infant significantly outweigh the risks of pharmacological treatment during pregnancy. Also, due to the ethical issues surrounding trials of pharmacotherapy during pregnancy, further research to determine evidenced-based methods of treatment are still necessary. The most important intervention to date is a

According to the CDC, current research shows that postpartum depression (PPD) is a complication that effects 1-8 women after they give birth. It is when the mother experiences depression after giving birth that is the result of hormone changes, adjustments to motherhood and fatigue. It is one of the most common diseases after the mother gives birth and is often underdiagnosed and overlooked. PPD can cause complication that not only affect the mother but also the baby by breaking the mother-infant bond. PPD can lead to a lack of social and emotional support to the baby during its critical period of life according to the CDC. There are experiences that put some women at higher risks for developing postpartum depression than others women. Some risk factors discussed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are low social supports, stress, culture, multiple births, and economic standings. Some of these risk factors are shown in case A which involves a Latino family that includes a father that is 31 years in age, mother who is 30 years of age, a 5-year-old son and an 8 -week old daughter. The main idea of this case was that the mother was starting to develop postpartum depression after the birth of her last daughter.

The late onset of postpartum depression is a most severe case that lead to impaired the maternal function and can be life- threatening. The symptoms begin to peak at 2 to 6 months after the delivery which involve feeling of sadness, depression, lack of energy, chronic fatigue, inability to sleep and difficult caring for the baby. Many of the mother’s will delay treatment or seek for some counseling because they are afraid that they will be judge as a bad mother for not being able to take care of the baby. “As many as 14.5% of postpartum women may experience a new episode within 3 months after delievery”( Conside). Is important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to identify them and provide treatment. In most cases the women may present with mild symptoms but 10 to 15 % will

What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)? How would you know if you had it? Is it unavoidable, something you just have to endure? Fortunately, Postpartum depression is more akin to a temporary condition that can be managed and counterbalanced with insight, sensitivity, and support. What begins as the “baby blues” is estimated to affect as many as upwards of 80% of women after a birth. Although some purport it is caused by hormonal changes, there remains a lack of consensus as to

Anemia, Low birth weight, Preeclampsia, and Premature delivery are effects of postpartum depression during pregnancy (Mena 2016). Mothers’ who were going through postpartum depression during the first three months of the child’s life were seen to be irritable and less engaged (Field 2011). Inadequate caregiving is also a major effect of postpartum depression (Field 2011). Mothers who have postpartum depression are less likely to continue breastfeeding if it becomes difficult (Field 2011). Infant’s with sleep problems are often put into unsafe sleep practices because of a mother’s postpartum depression (Field 2011). Infants of mothers with postpartum depression are less likely to attend well doctor’s appointments (Field 2011). Safety practices are often violated when a mother has postpartum depression (Field 2011). Some mothers have thoughts of harming their infants during postpartum depression (Field 2011). They also can have a fear of being alone with their child (Field 2011). Mothers with postpartum depression are also known to use harsher punishments (Field 2011).

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder in females that is known to be present within the 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth (Battle et al). This condition is the most common complication after childbirth (Mosses-Kolko et al.,2009).Studies have shown predictors which lead to postpartum depression such as maternal childhood maltreatment and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)in pregnancy (Seng 2013).A variety of factors exist among certain subgroups of women that may lead to postpartum depression. Postpartum depression affects approximately “one out of eight of the more than four million women who give birth in the United States every year”(Kruse et al. 2013a). The estimation of PPD in the US, UK, and Australia is from 7% to 20 % (Fitelson

This proposal will outline the plan for research of postpartum depression in new mothers, its complications, current treatments, and new treatments. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in women within the first 12 months after giving birth. In the past many women confused “baby blues” which consists of mood swings, frequent crying spells, irritability, anger, loss of sleep, and loss of appetite with postpartum depression. The major difference between the two is the duration of time and severity of symptoms. Baby blues last for at least two weeks after birth while postpartum lasts for several weeks with much severe symptoms. More women are being diagnosed with postpartum each year than any other major disease. The only treatment

Post-Partum Depression (PPD) is the last thing on most mother’s minds during pregnancy and labor. However, for a number women after childbirth, the joy that is expected doesn’t arrive. The joy isn’t there when they bring the baby home, and it continues to evade them well into taking care of the baby. So what happens during such an emotional and delicate time in life? This paper will attempt to delve into the intricacies of PPD and its effects on the mother and the family unit. Symptoms, risk factors, historical treatments, current treatments, complications, and preventative techniques will be included.

Mothers who have brought into this world a blessing have been preparing themselves for a big change in their life. They have been learning and educating themselves about how to be a good mother. Many mothers find it really hard to transition from being an independent woman without children to becoming a mother (Corrigan, Kwasky, & Groh, 2015). Adapting to motherhood can be a drastic change, and usually creates challenges that lead to feeling overwhelmed (Leger & Letourneau, 2015). When a newly mother begins experiencing stress or becomes emotional then there can be a possibility that they can encounter Postpartum Depression (Leger et al., 2015). Postpartum depression can be seen and experienced in many different ways, it all varies on every mother (Corrigan et al., 2015). Many different mental health issues can be seen including baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the most serious, postpartum psychosis (Tam & Leslie, 2001).