Maternal Depression And Its Effects On Many Individuals

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).

Postpartum depression is one of the most commons disorders in the early few weeks of child birth. According to the American Psychology Association almost 1 in 7 women are Likely to inherit the disorder. Postpartum depression is caused by the rapid drop of estrogen and progestrone hormone following the birth of a child. The effects include excessive crying without reasoning, irritability, anxiety, loss of memory, and the inability to focus. Within the early weeks of child birth it is expected for a mother embrace her baby however;  The symptoms of postpartum depression can cause intrusive thoughts that can harm both mother and child. Many women suffer from the postpartum due to the lack of a support system. It is likely that if a mother doesn't

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 psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has become the most underdiagnosed complication in the United States. It can lead to increased costs of medical care, inappropriate medical care, child abuse and neglect, discontinuation of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction and adversely affects early brain development (Earls, 2010). Over 400,000 infants are born to mothers that are depressed. One of 7 new mothers (14.5%) experience depressive episodes that impair maternal role function. An episode of major or minor depression that occurs during pregnancy or the first 12 months after birth is called perinatal or postpartum depression (Wisner, Chambers & Sit, 2006). Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others (Postpartum Depression). The six stages of postpartum are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and PTSD. These stages may affect any women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status. However only a physician can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. It does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do, it’s a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones in a woman’s body quickly drop; which may lead to chemical changes in her brain (Postpartum Depression). Unbalanced hormones may trigger mood swings.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 20 people suffer from depression (2014). Although widely recognized and somewhat easy to diagnose, depression is an ignored and almost hidden, disease. In women, the statistics are especially grim for those who are pregnant or were recently pregnant. A great number of women suffer from postpartum depression; an illness which is often overlooked, misdiagnosed and untreated. Postpartum depression (PPD) has been defined as an emotional disorder that occurs in an estimated 10-15% of all women after childbirth (Liberto, 2010). Postpartum depression not only impacts the mother, but can cause long-term psychological challenges for the baby and create emotional turmoil for all family members.

Postpartum Depression also referred to as “the baby blues” is depression that is suffered by a mother following the birth of her child that typically arises from the combination of hormonal changes and fatigue, as well as the psychological adjustment to becoming a mother. Most mothers will feel depressed or anxious after the birth of their child, however it turns into postpartum depression when is lasts longer than two weeks, and if treatment is not sought after a month, it could continue to worsen severely.

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.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, women were treated in a far different manner than they are in today’s time. Their role as a woman and the way they were treated in the medical department has been a major change from then to now. In some cases, the role that women were expected to partake in could have been the cause of depression and many other mental illnesses. Many factors will support this claim due to the roles that were enforced on women in the early 1900’s. For many women in this time period, were expected to be stay at home mothers and take care of the children. With the lack of individual freedom, women would have become tired of their roles and desired for more. In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator was fixed in her own

If left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with parents-child attachment and cause family problems later on in life. For mothers, untreated postpartum depression can last for months or up to years, sometimes becoming a chronic depressive disorder. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman 's risk of future episodes of major depression. For fathers, postpartum depression can have a ripple effect, causing emotional damage for everyone close to a new baby. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, “When a new mother is depressed, the risk of depression in the baby 's father may also increase”. New dads are already at a highly risk of depression, whether or not the mother is affected. Children of parents who have untreated postpartum depression are most likely to have emotional and behavior problems, such as sleeping and eating disorders, excessive crying, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And will also delay in language development.

Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after child birth. Pregnancy is normal, the mother is excited about having the baby and the after the child is born you go into a deep depression. This does not occur because of something the mother does or does not do, it occurs because of a chemical imbalance in the mothers brain that triggers mood changes. Some mothers feel as though they cannot get anything done, they’re angry and irritable, excessive crying. Something mothers are supposed to feel joy about they wish had never happen. Most mothers often fear and have anxiety that they are not good mothers and cannot bond with their child.

“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).

Many psychosocial stressors may have an impact on the development of postpartum depression. The greater risk of postpartum depression is a history of major depression and those who have experienced depression during past pregnancies. Untreated maternal depression can have a negative effect on child development, mother-infant bonding, and risk of anxiety or depressive symptoms in infants later in life. Management of postpartum depression is a vital part of adequate medical care.” (Patel, Bailey, Jabeen, Ali, Barker, and Osiezagha,

Only around 15% of women receive the proper help they need. The exact numbers are unknown considering the stigma that surrounds any type of mental health issue. The majority of affected mothers don’t have the resources to obtain the proper treatment for their symptoms or for their children. Previous studies have shown that mothers with postpartum depression tend to negatively affect the development of their infant. “Children outcomes include poor cognitive functioning, as well as emotional and behavioral problems such as increased risk for externalizing disorders and future psychopathology.” (Werner, Gustafsson, Lee, Feng, Jiang, Desai, & Monk, 2015). It has been proven that postpartum depression “dysregulates maternal cognitive and affective function and in turn interferes with the mother’s ability to notice and interpret her infant’s cues accurately, contingently and sensitively.” (Horowitz, Murphy, Gregory, Wojcik, Pulcini, & Solon, 2013) causing them more frustration and preventing them from properly caring and stimulating the child. Postpartum depression is such a serious condition that not only can it cost the life of the mother but also the life of the

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).

Postnatal depression is a clinical depression that lasts for about a month (Sigelman & Rider, 2015) and symptoms of postnatal depression include parents being irritable, lethargic, tired, insensitive and generally distant towards their children (Field, 2010; Liu et al., 2016; Ramchandani, Stein, Evans, O’Connor & ALSPAC study team, 2005; Wachs, Black & Engle, 2009). Prenatal depression can also be a sign that the mother will experience postnatal depression (Parsons, Young, Rochat, Kringelbacht & Stein, 2012).