The Negative Effects Of Postpartum Depression

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).

This journal article did research about the cause and effect of breastfeeding on women who have postpartum depression (PPD). They did research on the mother’s mental health status at the different time of postpartum, and inspected how breastfeeding could affect the mothers. The research found out that the effect of breastfeeding on postnatal depression is heterogeneous. Whether or not the

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.

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

Depression is a major public health problem that is twice as common in women as men during the childbearing years. Postpartum depression is defined as an episode of non-psychotic depression according to standardized diagnostic criteria with onset within 1 year of childbirth (Stewart D., et. al, 2003, p. 4). For women aged 15 to 44 years around the world, Postpartum Depression is second to HIV/AIDS, in terms of total disability (World Health Organization, 2001). Depression has a profound impact on parameters of interpersonal behavior. Post-Partum depression

Depression, in general, affects more than 340 million people around the world and is reported to be the highest cause of disability in high-income countries (Demissie). 15% to 85% of mothers can experience postpartum “blues” with postpartum depression rates between 11.7% and 20.4% in the United States alone (Ersek). This depression can occur at anytime from post-delivery up to one year (Ersek).

"Why do so many women continue to suffer?" Asked Psychotherapist Karen Kleimen in her recent article on postpartum depression in a well-known medical magazine, Psychology Today. "Why is it that postpartum depression and its related conditions continue to be misunderstood by so many healthcare professionals?" Followed Karen. After being constantly bombarded with terrifying effects and the rising number of cases of postpartum depression, many women are raising similar questions as those of Karen and are demanding satisfactory answers from healthcare providers. As a result, healthcare providers have conducted several research and concluded a number of potential causes for postpartum depression.

One of the most devastating impact that postpartum depression can have on a mother is to interfere with the ability to care for her child. That is an instant blow to the bonding process. Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression start to feel inadequate as a parent. They have very little interaction with their infant. Quite often they will make less eye contract with their infant as well as, they display less examples of mother-child contact and positive interaction as compared to mothers who don’t have depression. A mom who has postpartum depression shows less affection toward their infant and they also are less sensitive and nurturing. At this stage the infant will sense the tension and anxiety the parent is feeling and in return they will withdraw from their parent. The interaction between mother and child at the early phase of a child’s life is very critical to the evolution of a child.

There is need for people to understand what postpartum depression is and learn how to deal efficiently and effectively with it. According to the national health science (NHS), postpartum depression is defined as a depression that normally occurs after childbirth. To help deal with this issue, a lot of investment has been made for public sensitization on how to handle the issue. However, this effort of public sensitization may yield little results because many people view this problem as a problem of others. This literature review therefore focused on trying to understand the various issues surrounding or leading to postpartum depression and the effects that it has on family experience, starting from the mother, the child, the father and the whole society in general. The study was majorly centered on trying to understand to what extent the depression either directly or indirectly affects the mother, the father and the whole society, in general. The objective of this literature review was to examine and decode a considerable number of relevant articles that had researched and arrived at conclusions that related to postpartum depression. After rigorous review of the literature, it was found out that postpartum depression had a direct effect on the family experience. The findings show how exactly postpartum depression affects the mother, the father/family, the child and the whole society in general. This

Postpartum Depression is depression that occurs after performing childbirth. This condition is often mistaken for the “baby blues” which has similar symptoms such as tearfulness, extreme sadness, anxiety, self-doubt, and fatigue. However, the “baby blues” goes away within a few weeks after and unlike the “baby blues”, postpartum depression can cause suicidal thoughts, difficulty making decisions, and feeling too exhausted to get out of bed for hours. If postpartum depression is not treated properly or soon enough it can drastically effect the lives of those who have developed it as well as their families. This is because a mother is a very important figure in one’s life because she is the first person that an individual ever makes an emotional connection with; she’s also the first one to play the role of supplying nourishment to her child. Consequently, “PPD can affect familial relationships and a woman’s capacity to care for and bond with her newborn. Some research indicates that young children of depressed mothers are at increased risk of delay in cognitive and language development” (McGarry, Kim, Sheng, Egger, & Baksh, 2009). Postpartum depression can take hold of a woman and her family’s life and is one of the most common complications of childbirth. However, “postpartum depression (PPD) is less frequently detected, treated, or the focus of obstetric research” (McGarry et al., 2009). This is because mothers suffering with postpartum depression are unable to seek proper

This psychological and behavioral study will analyze the impact of postpartum depression on women and the problem of child abuse related to this condition. Case studies find the circumstances of postpartum depression in women is directly related to the issue of previous child abuse and PTSD that have a negative impact on the newborn child. These factors define a significant correlation with postpartum depression in 1 out 9 women and later problems of abuse between mother and child. Finally, recommendations on the increased importance of mother/child relationships during the postpartum period need to further evaluated by clinical researchers to better understand

Infants can ultimately have developmental delay. Postpartum depression has long term effects on children of depressed mothers. The impact can extend up to puberty. Children will experience feelings of insecurity, poor social skills, reduce verbal and cognitive skills (Earls, 2010). Children will end up with more behavioral problems, conduct disorders, depression and anxiety. Timely identification and management of maternal depression is important for the child’s early brain development and school readiness. The negative effects of the long term exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in early childhood is concerning. Early intervention will help both the mother and the child (Horwitz, Briggs-Gowan, Storfer-Isser, & Carter, 2009).

Pregnant women will be investigated to see if postpartum depression can be predicted and possibly prevented. The investigation will examine postpartum case histories, and academic journal articles, and secondary sources such as, text books and websites. Through this investigation, woman can find out triggers to avoid and possible warning signs in pregnancy that could possibly predict for postpartum depression. Being able to predict postpartum depression women can prevent the possibility of facing postpartum depression.

Now when it comes to the baby, they can also be affected by Postpartum Depression. It ranges from Physical Development problems to confidence and Social Issues. Physical development problems can occur when the mother fails to interact and even play with the child that encourages growth, “Recent studies have shown that children whose mother suffered from postpartum depression are more likely to fall behind in development (Postpartum Living).” If the mother isn’t there encouraging her baby to coordinate its self or muscle deployment that cause negative physical growth. “A mom suffering from postpartum depression is more likely to overlook simple, everyday actions that are very important in satisfying her baby’s physical needs, such as steadying

The postpartum time period is depicted as a joyful time for mothers, but in some cases it can be a time of calamity (Jevitt, Groer, Crist, Gonzalez, & Wagner, 2012). Postpartum Depression (PPD) in women after childbirth is a common occurrence. It happens in all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. PPD is a severe depression that affects mothers after childbirth. It involves serious depression, sadness, and loneliness. Cheryl Tatano Beck is a nursing theorist who is known for her work and research with postpartum depression and the development of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) and the development of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory (PDPI) (Alligood, 2014). She began her focus on obstetrical nursing after she graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 1970 (Alligood, 2014). Beck’s focus was first on studying women in labor and fetal monitoring (Alligood, 2014). She then moved to studying and researching PPD. Beck noticed that there was not much research done on the disorder (Alligood, 2014). Beck wrote her theory called “teetering on the edge,” as part of her doctorate thesis is 1993 (Alligood, 2014). This thesis focused on the importance of different risk factors and concepts regarding postpartum depression and is the foundation of her theory.