Baby Blues Vs Postpartum Depression

Davidson stated in her 2012 book A Nurse’s Guide to Women’s Mental Health that “It is estimated that 50-80 percent of women suffers from some form of baby blues after birth”. (pg.175)

Postpartum depression, a period of deep depression following the birth of a child, affects some 10 percent of all new mothers. Postpartum depression is associated with withdrawn infants with fewer positive emotions. In this essay, I will discuss the two articles found on postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major event occurring in eight to fifteen percent of the woman population after delivering their child (Glavin, Smith, Sørum & Ellefsen, 2010). The symptoms and causes of PPD are similar to depression symptoms in other periods of life (Glavin et al., 2010). These symptoms may include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, sleep changes, anger or irritability, loss of energy, self-loathing, reckless behavior and concentration problems. These symptoms may lead to other factors that are detrimental to the child bearing and rearing family.

70 to 80 percent of women who have given birth experience what is know as “Baby blues,” (Piotrowski & Benson, 2015). These are mild symptoms of depression and usually go away within two weeks after giving birth. However, the symptoms of unspecified depressive disorder with peripartum onset also known as postpartum depression (PPD) can be more intense and last significantly longer than the “baby blues.” According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013), postpartum depression occurs during pregnancy or in the 4 weeks following delivery. Postpartum depression has symptoms that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in the new mothers life and can include the inability to take care of the newborn or herself. The

There is a difference between baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues are periods of mood swings, crying, or feeling cranky or restless for a short length of time and happen a week or two after having a baby. Postpartum depression is when these symptoms continue for more than two weeks, becoming more severe and manifesting in psychological and physical symptoms. These symptoms include feelings of anxiety or fear, thoughts of hurting the baby, thoughts of suicide, rapid breathing and heart rate, hot or cold flashes, chest pain, and tremors or dizziness. Some risk factors that have been identified to increase a woman’s risk of postpartum depression are previous experiences of depression, stress and lack of social support. Psychological

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

“Maternal Depression” is a term that includes a range of depressive conditions, which impact mothers while pregnant and up to 12 months after delivery (NIHCM). Such depressive conditions include prenatal depression, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis (NIHCM). In this paper, current literature that examines both prenatal depression and postpartum depression in relation to infant health will be reviewed. Prenatal depression includes depressive episodes starting during pregnancy and lasting from six months to one year after delivery (NIHCM). The symptoms of prenatal depression are similar to those of major depression and those of postpartum depression (NIHCM). Postpartum depression occurs after the baby is born, usually within the first 2-3 months postpartum, yet onset can be immediate, and may last up to one year after delivery (NIHCM) (Health.gov). It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that one out of eight women suffer from postpartum depression (CDC). Symptoms of postpartum depression include “feeling disconnected from the baby, worrying that you will hurt the baby, and doubting your ability to care for the baby” (CDC). Most people who experience maternal depression, even those with severe forms, are able to improve with treatment (CDC).

Pregnancy and birth are both major changes in the lives of women everywhere. These events can be overwhelming, and can lead many women to experience feelings of depression, which can result in postpartum depression, a serious condition that can adversely affect the health of mother and child. The following PowerPoint aims to help educate women on the symptoms and causes of postpartum depression, and how to differentiate it from the normal feelings that can occur with childbirth. Finally, it seeks to provide resources to women for diagnosis, treatment, and support.

After delivering a baby, some women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. There are three levels of postpartum depression: baby blues, postpartum depression, and psychosis. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, fatigue, and a lack of motivation to do pleasurable things. For women with the second level, the disorder interferes with their ability to function. On the extreme end, psychosis, women experience confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, and thoughts of hurting themselves or their baby. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women. It’s medical risk factors include underperforming thyroid, hormone imbalance, and low levels of serotonin. It 's psychological risk factors include a history of depression, stress, fatigue, and a lack of support. Generally, women with the disorder are treated with antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. However, one case study found that mommy-and-me classes and a strong support system helped treat the disorder. Moreover, a recent study found that exercise can be used to treat postpartum depression and fatigue.

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.

Ans.1) Postnatal depression is a clinical practice term describes the signs and symptoms which women may experience after childbirth. It effects majority of females but 4-25% of new fathers also affected by depression. Postnatal depression (PND) has a major impact on maternal physical and mental health. It affects around 12 to15% of all childbearing women in Australia. The prevalence may vary 3% to 30% depends assessment time. There are about 250,000 births each year in Australia, from which at least 25,000 to 50,000 women are likely to be affected by PND every year (Yelland, Sutherland, & Brown,2010).In 40% to 70% cases, the onset of postnatal depression arise in first 3 months. It often persist for many months. 25% to 60%of cases remit

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.

Delivered a baby successfully does not simply means that the mother’s task is over. Rather, it indicates that the real tough time is really getting started. A new mother will face the first tough time right after the baby’s birth. During the pregnancy period, everybody’s attention is on the mother; however, after the baby has been born, all the attention shifts to the baby. The psychological feelings of the differences can make a new mother feel sad. In addition, a new baby means that the parents should earn more money to raise the newborn. Financial stress can be another reason for a mother to get post-partum depression. Moreover, a mother will more likely to feel depressed if her baby is born with disabilities. There are definitely more

Most studies found that mental illness was more prevalent among women. This could be associated with the hormonal changes in women during the fertility, pregnancy, and menopausal period. In addition, there was generally higher level of stress in women due to their multitasking responsibilities. Most women, especially for those staying in the urban area have to deal with their job and household duties. In the long run, this creates an unbearable amount of mental burden for the women. The occurrence of mood changes after delivery which is generally known as postpartum blues is common. If the condition becomes severe and lasts longer than expected, it is considered as postpartum depression which has harmful effects on the mother. The physiological

After reading this chapter on Prenatal Development and Birth, I believe that most women may encounter: baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. I feel that problems are found around the society and probably reflect hormonal changes following child birth. A mother sometimes experience lots of stress during pregnancy that will play a role in this situation. I feelings that having high self-esteem and social help women manage and adjust to adjustment to some problems. Some have noticed that this normally begins about a month after delivery and linger for weeks. Their common symptoms during this period are: fluctuating mood, tears; irritability and anxiety. As in other major depressive disorder, it is characterized by: serious sadness, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, feeling of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and major changes in appetite and sleep patterns. I have seen that some mother will show obsessive concern with the well-being of their babies at this time. I have seen that it can also interfere with the mother-baby