Postpartum Depression Presentation by Iza Fuller

How do you know a woman is not having the blues after giving birth?

Babies depend on mothers to survive. If mothers feel depressed after giving birth, the problem needs to be identified and addressed properly.

Mothers can feel very tired after vaginal delivery. Caused by stress suffered by the mother during delivery of the baby.

 Some studies have shown postpartum depression is mostly related to hormone dysfunction. (Laura Cramer)  Estimates of incidence from 1.9% to 16.7%.

A woman usually does not recognize when the blues and depression appear. Postpartum depression may appear during the gestation period and after delivery.

 Depression is manifest as a psychological disorder after birth.  Symptoms similar to a normal pregnancy:  sleeping too much  Tiredness  stronger emotion manifest during gestation  change in body image and weight gain.

Factors that cause depression: hormonal changes a stressful life or the death of a family member changes in chemical brain waves genetics.

Risks for depression: history of depression or substance abuse family history of mental disorder no family support a high level of anxiety previous complications in pregnancy marital status financial difficulty or having had previous problems with depression.

Postpartum depression can be diagnosed by a blood test and then a doctor can prescribe a medication for the thyroid.

Risks for depression after birth:  mother feeling too tired  not sleeping as well as before  feeling overloaded with the new one and the responsibility to take care of the baby  the stress of taking care of a husband and new baby at once  a feeling of responsibility to go back to work and leave the new baby with a care giver  a feeling of being less attractive, or not having enough time to spend with their friends and loved ones.

Symptoms of postpartum depression:  feeling irritable, sad  having a loss of pleasure or interest in life  eating too little or too much  crying without reason  Hopelessness  having no energy to take care of her family  sleeping to much or not enough  being unable to make decisions  feelings of guilt or worthlessness  withdrawal from social life and loved ones  headaches  fast heart rate, chest pains  hyperventilation and shallow breathing or irregular heartbeats.

 Postpartum depression needs health care treatment.  If it is just baby blues, it does not need any medication and will go away within a few days.

Treatments for postpartum depression:  individual or group therapy to help the new mother  hotline numbers for counseling over the phone  many medications available to treat depression

Mothers are ashamed to let the family or health care provider know what they are going through. Nurses can help health care providers identify signs of postpartum depression and help the mothers become aware of it, so babies don’t suffer. New mothers need to be able to enjoy their new baby as the baby depends on them to survive.

References Postpartum(2006). Pospartum support. Retrieved July, 27, 2013 from National Mental Health(2005). Mental. Retrieved July, 27, 2013 from National Institute(2004) mental health. Retrieved July, 27, 2013 from