Postpartum Depression Criticism

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).

In the 2006 book Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Clinician’s Guide authored by Beck and Driscoll, states certain risk factors such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, education level and self-esteem can also play a role in the development of this depression.

According to Katon (2014) research has shown several predictors of postpartum depression. The risk factor are as follows: prenatal depression, self-esteem, childcare stress, prenatal anxiety, life stress,

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 (PPD) affects at least 10-20% of new mothers. However, the true incidence may be much higher due to the fact that screening is not considered to be a standard practice, leaving PPD undetected and untreated in many women (Schaar & Hall, 2014). Postpartum depression not only negatively affects the mother; it also has a negative impact on the infant. For this reason, it is important for the health care providers caring for pregnant and postpartum mothers to screen them for risk factors associated with PPD, as well as educate them on ways to lessen their chances of getting PPD. It is also important for the health care providers to screen for PPD with a standardized tool like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and to take action in treating it when it is suspected or diagnosed.

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

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.

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

“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.

Estimates of the prevalence of postpartum depression range from 13% to 19% (O 'Hara & McCabe, 2013). However, major depressive episodes may go undiagnosed in 65% of pregnant women ( (Ko, Farr, Dietz, & Robbins, 2012). It is important for pregnant women and new mothers to undergo depression screening to be diagnosed and treated early if they are experiencing any symptoms of depression. Depression during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of inadequate nutrition, poor weight gain, inadequate prenatal care, preterm birth, surgical birth and low birth weight babies (Wirz-Justice, et al., 2011). The newborns have a higher rate of neonatal intensive care admissions and increased risk of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders (Wirz-Justice, et al., 2011).

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

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).

The story starts with a winter evening and ends with the first sign of spring. It all happened at the character’s house and in a family environment. This happened at a time where nobody knew what depression was, or even more, what postpartum depression was. It was a time where there was not a real diagnosis or even a treatment. We see a society focus on the values of the family and keep them at the cost of somebody else’s life. We see a woman, one more time, being a victim of her own society.