Postpartum Depression Beyond The Baby Blues .7 PDF
Postpartum Depression Beyond The Baby Blues .7 PDF
Postpartum Depression Beyond The Baby Blues .7 PDF
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depression:
Beyond the “baby blues”
By screening all pregnant and postpartum women for mood and
anxiety disorders, we can promptly identify PPD—a significant health
problem that threatens the safety of mothers and their families.
By Michele M. McKelvey, PhD, RN, and Jill Espelin, DNP, APRN, CNE, PMHNP-BC
about postpartum mood disorders, with “baby blues.” Recent studies show that
a focus on PPD, including risk factors, approximately 50% to 85% of all mothers
possible causes, signs and symptoms, experience postpartum blues. First-time
complications, screening, treatment, and mothers can experience more severe
nursing care. postpartum blues because they may have
unrealistic expectations of themselves
Types of postpartum mood disorders as mothers. This commonly develops
Women may experience many types of between 2 and 4 days after birth, and
psychiatric problems after childbirth. typically resolves within 14 days.
The American Psychiatric Association’s Mothers experience an emotional let-
(APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual down after childbirth, as well as physical
sheet
about themselves as mothers are more • Irritability, anger, and feelings of being overwhelmed
likely to develop PPD. And some mothers • Isolation
• Sleep impairment
place unrealistic expectations on them-
• Poor appetite
selves to be perfect. New mothers often
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
lack personal time; they may feel unat- • Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
tractive and struggle to find their own • Disinterest in caring for the baby
identity. These overwhelming feelings can • Difficulty maintaining relationships
cause mothers to become sleep deprived. • Physical pain and muscle aches
With an inadequate amount of sleep or
poor sleep, new mothers may have dif- depression, according to the Mayo Clinic.
ficulty coping with even simple problems. Mothers may have difficulty bonding
They may feel like they’ve lost control of with their infants. These newborns are at
their lives and ultimately question their risk for excessive crying, poor nutrition,
ability to care for their newborns. deficient sleep, developmental delays,
Drops in the following hormone levels and failure to thrive. Untreated PPD can
may also contribute to depressive episodes: also result in suicide, infanticide, and
• estrogen (decreases serotonin and may physical harm to newborns.
mimic signs of depression) Children of mothers with PPD are more
• progesterone (may cause anxiety and likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity
poor sleep) disorder, emotional problems, behavioral
• thyroid (may cause lethargy and fatigue). problems, and language delays.
Fathers/partners also face an emo-
Signs and symptoms tional strain from PPD. Although they
According to the National Institute of don’t experience the perinatal hormone
Mental Health, signs and symptoms of changes, they’re exposed to the demands
PPD include: of becoming a new parent. Partners of
• hopelessness, sadness, and mood swings women with PPD may become over-
• irritability, anger, and feelings of being whelmed with the practical burdens of
overwhelmed caring for their newborns and families.
• isolation It can also be difficult to witness their
• sleep impairment partner experiencing PPD; the couple’s
• poor appetite relationship will likely be strained. It may
• inability to concentrate or make decisions be especially difficult to integrate a new-
• loss of interest in pleasurable activities born into the family if the father/partner
• disinterest in caring for the baby subsequently experiences depression
• difficulty maintaining relationships and/or anxiety. Older siblings may also
• physical pain and muscle aches. be negatively affected by PPD and at risk
Mothers experiencing PPD frequently for depression and anxiety.
question their ability to care for their According to the literature, mothers
babies. In extreme circumstances, they with female partners may be more at risk
can have thoughts of harming themselves for PPD. Lesbian mothers may face het-
and/or their babies. erosexist attitudes and homophobia from
healthcare providers. Confronting stigma
Complications and even rejection from their own families
If mothers with PPD don’t receive places these mothers at an increased risk
treatment, they may develop chronic for PPD.
INSTRUCTIONS
Postpartum depression: Beyond the “baby blues”
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