The Postpartum Period : A Time Of Huge Physiologic And Psychological Adjustment

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 is a type of depression that women can experience after giving birth. It is similar to depression, but women also experience thoughts of harming the baby, feeling disconnected, or in general worry that they are not being a good mother (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, 2013). When it comes to seeking help for this, most women can feel ashamed of what they are experiencing and may not seek the proper help they need. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on postpartum depression and how it relates to John Bowlby’s theory of attachment. Bowlby’s theory focuses on the attachment being an innate and that mothers and infants need to stay close with one another (McLeod, 2007). As an advanced practice nurse, being able to understand, diagnose and treat women with postpartum depression is important as if diagnosed early, it is a very treatable illness with positive outcomes.

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

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

Postpartum depression has been around for centuries, it was recognized as early as 1500 B.C. However, instead of seeing it as a medical issues it was viewed as witch craft or victims of witch craft. Later on in the 1920s one theory suggested these mood disorders were caused from suppressed homosexuality or incestuous urges. Postpartum depression was not even taught in schools because people believed that it was impossible for a pregnant woman to be depressed because pregnancy/birth of a child was a joyous occasion. Now fast forward to present day and postpartum depression is well known and is taken very seriously. Recent studies show that within the first year of giving birth one in five woman have experienced postpartum depression.

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

The article “Postpartum Depression” written by Sara Thurgood, Dr. Daniel M. Avery MD, and Dr. Lloyd Williamson, is engrossing and informatively written. Postpartum depression (PPD) is becoming an increasingly common issue among women after childbirth. PPD remains the most common perinatal psychiatric disorder, women are at greatest risk during the first year after giving birth. “Postpartum Depression” discusses what PPD is, how to treat it, and how a mother’s PPD affect her child’s development. This is a summary of what the authors of “Postpartum Depression” include in their article.

Postpartum depression is the epitome of grief, strife, and angst which slithers and knots its cruel intentions through every inch of your body and soul.  It 's a predominant force in the daily life of mother 's suffering with PPD, relentlessly taunting its innocent victims to an extremely lonely, dark breaking point. Feeding psychologically, this tenacious monster 's very existence depending entirely on its host; much like a parasite.

According to authors Susan Dowd Stone and Alexis E. Menken postpartum depression can start during pregnancy which is called perinatal disorder (2008). During pregnancy, women can suffer through mood disorders which are a leading cause of postpartum depression. Women who are screened and diagnosed for depression are most likely to have postpartum depression. Doctors know to keep a close watch on these women who are found positive for depression. After giving birth, the woman will develop postpartum depression; this can lead to postpartum psychosis when women do not receive the help that they need. There are women known to have killed their children due to having postpartum depression or

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that causes extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion. The main cause of postpartum depression is believed to arise from the drastic change of hormones in the mother's body. After giving birth the production of estrogen and progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, is quickly stopped. The drop of progesterone can lead to chemical changes in the brain that may cause mood swings. Another cause of postpartum depression is the inadequate amount of sleep the mother gets. Sleep is essential for everyone but especially a mother that just gave birth. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Constant sleep deprivation can lead to physical discomfort and exhaustion…” (National Institute of Mental Health

I have chosen postpartum depression as my topic to write about since it hits really close to home. Postpartum depression is also called PPD it can affect the parents of a new born child and also consider a mental health illness. PPD is most commonly found in female after giving birth. According to Elisei, “the prevalence of PPD 72 hours after delivery was 11% while the prevalence of PPD three months after delivery was 16.7%.” PPD can be brought on by environment, genetic factors, and biochemical, psychological and hormonal. Most common factor is that during precancgy, the mother can expressions anxiety or depression while carrying the child. Postpartum depression is nothing to be shamed about having, getting treatment is in the best health

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

The family I chose to work with was a primigravid mother and a first time father. Both of the parents were relatively young, the mother being nineteen years old and the father being twenty years old. My first encounter with the family was when the mother was in active labor. It was obvious that the parents had many concerns regarding the birthing process and felt anxious about the impending arrival of their child. The father had many questions for the nurse and was pacing anxiously around the room. This was an expected behavior for a first time father and I recognized and appreciated his apprehension. Several hours following the vaginal birth of their daughter I had the chance to sit down and talk to the parents. We discussed their specific concerns and questions.

You’ve heard about postpartum depression. You’ve heard about Brooke Shields’ publicized struggle with it, you’ve seen studies about it, and you might even know a mom who has faced it. But there’s another common postpartum condition that’s been hiding in the shadows: postpartum anxiety. So, why aren’t we talking about it?

This paper outlines the interview I had with Mrs. Kaley Bager in regards to her fourth pregnancy. Kaley and her husband Larry had not pre-planned this event; therefore this pregnancy was unexpected. In this paper I will tell of the events that took place at a postpartum wellness check visit, in which this pregnancy was confirmed. I will also report on the various interview topics that were discussed with Kaley; which are nutrition and activity during pregnancy, emotions and stress, and recent trends in educating about pregnancy. In my summary I will include two relevant nursing diagnosis’ that will can be utilized for Kaley’ perinatal care during her current pregnancy.