Postpartum Depression Essay

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.

Postpartum depression, which is the most prevalent of all maternal depressive disorders, is said to be the hidden epidemic of the 21st century. (1) Despite its high prevalence rate of 10-15% and increased incidence, postpartum depression often goes undetected, and thus untreated. (2) Nearly 50% of postpartum depression cases are untreated. As a result, these cases are put at a high risk of being exposed to the severe and progressive nature of their depressive disorder. (3) In other words, the health conditions of untreated postpartum depression cases worsen and progress to one of their utmost stages, and they are: postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum panic disorder, postpartum post traumatic stress, and postpartum psychosis.

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,

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.

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.

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.

Pregnancy and childbirth is a miraculous part of everyday life. The female body is able to carry a developing baby and bring another life into the world. However along with this great phenomenon, can come illness and mood disorders. Postpartum Depression is a serious and very common mental health problem that affects women after giving birth. It is a period of time when the new mother experiences changes in her hormonal level and develops signs of depression. Based on previous medical and personal history, certain women are believed to be at a high risk for Postpartum Depression. The DSM lists multiple symptoms of Postpartum Depression that are similar to those of other depression mood disorders. Research and experiments have been done to learn more about the risks, symptoms and treatment methods of Postpartum Depression.

The birth of a baby can provoke a lot of emotions. Mothers particularly can have a range of emotions, including depression. Many mothers experience postpartum “baby blues”. Baby blues include symptoms of crying, anxiety, mood swings, and problems sleeping for about two weeks (Postpartum, n.d.). However, postpartum depression (PPD) is more severe and long-term. Mothers with postpartum depression experience similar symptoms of baby blues, however these symptoms are more intense and extreme. This disorder not only makes it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves, but also for their baby and others. The purpose of

This problem is significant to nursing in a variety of ways. According to Zadeh et al. (2012), this type of study has never been conducted. Previous studies only investigated the prevalence of postpartum depression following normal pregnancy (Zadeh et al., 2012). Around one third of all pregnancies are classified as high-risk pregnancies. A high risk pregnancy consists of medical problems of mother before pregnancy, medical complications due to pregnancy, obstetrical complications and fetal problems (Zadeh et al., 2012). High prevalence of postpartum psychological problems and lack of specific studies to examine the relationship between postpartum psychological problems and high-risk pregnancies because it has never been studied (Zadeh et al., 2012).

Life following postpartum can be filled with satisfying or unpleasant feelings. Support from the workplace and extended family, along with positive relationship quality, can facilitate the prosperous growth of the couple and their baby. Inadequate social support and the inability to cope following birth, however, can result in postpartum depression, also known as PPD. This paper will discuss the effects of PPD amongst mothers, fathers, and infants, and how certain nursing actions can be applied to treat those affected.

Postpartum depression is a serious maternal mental health issue that negatively impacts new mothers, their infants, and family (Leger & Letourneau, 2015). Maternal depression causes difficulties in feeding, sleeping, and long episodes of crying in the baby. It can also impact the child’s cognitive, social and behavioral development (Baldwin & Kelly, 2015).

Postpartum depression (PPD) can be described as a period of depression that begins following childbirth lasting more than two weeks (Camp, 2013). Up to 15% of women suffer from depression during the first three months after delivery and the cause of PPD remains unknown (Camp, 2013). Research has shown that PPD may result from a combination of numerous stressors encountered by the family unit including biochemical, genetic, psychosocial factors, and everyday life stress (Camp, 2013). Some examples of these stressors include financial strain, fatigue, insufficient support from significant other, being a single mother, and medical complications from the pregnancy (Camp, 2013).

Women who have recently given birth to a child, anticipate feelings of joy and celebration. Many women, though feel the opposite. They feel tension, worry, crankiness, and exhaustion to name a few. This type of mood disturbance affects 85% of all postpartum women (Joy, S. 2014). Because it is so common, many consider the blues as a normal experience following childbirth rather than a psychiatric illness. Many hormonal changes in the woman’s body trigger the postpartum blues. These symptoms usually arise on in the first week after delivery and may last for a few hours or a few days. While these symptoms are unpredictable and often unsettling, they do not inhibit a woman’s ability to function. No specific treatment is required; however if symptoms of depression persist for longer than two weeks, the

A literature review was conducted with databases such as PubMed and Google Scholars on the topics of postpartum depression and breastfeeding. The context of the articles was reviewed to conclude if there is a correlation of postpartum depression and breastfeeding and to see if there are additional benefits to breastfeeding in relation to preventing postpartum depression. Some keywords used to search for articles were “postpartum”, “breastfeeding”, “mental health”, “postnatal care” and “women’s health”. The articles were specific to the qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method styles of research. Abstracts were used to interpret the main style of each topic. The search was tedious since there are many articles with one