The Effects Of Depression On Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period

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).

The postpartum period is about going through change and transition from a woman to a new mother. This is a time where mothers restore muscle tone and connective tissue in the body after the birth of the baby. Although there is a dramatic change during the postpartum period, women’s body is nonetheless not fully stored to pre-pregnant physiology until about 6 months post-delivery (Osailan, 6). At this time, women need to receive special health and social support to prevent problems such as postpartum depression. During this period, culture plays a major role in the way a woman perceives and prepares for her birthing experience. In fact, the notions of birth and postnatal care vary considerably with cultural beliefs and traditional practices. Each culture has its own values, beliefs and practices related to pregnancy and birth (Osailan,1). In the United States, after a short hospital stay, moms and babies are sent home because it is expected for mothers to heal within 42 days after giving birth. Whereas in other societies like Mexico, the postpartum recovery is active long enough until the new mother is fully healed (Brenhouse). In the article, “Why Are America’s Postpartum Practices So Rough on New Mothers?” by Hilary Brenhouse, the author states, “With these rituals comes an acknowledgment, familial and federal, that the woman needs relief more at this time than at any other—especially if she has a career to return to—and that it takes weeks, sometimes months, to properly

This journal article focuses on postpartum depression and how it differentiates from other disorders. This paticuarl article however focuses on defining the different types of depression within this catagorey and looks into clinical involvement as well as recognsisng risk elements and sysmtoms that allow it to be characterized from other mood and anxiety disorders. Beck (2006) finds that persons who where most at risk of this disorder most commently had stressful lives, with a history of mental illness. This article also concludes that postpartum depression can lead into server physosi, which is in need of immediate intervention and that this mental state can lead women to be dangerous to themselves of there children and clearly states that they should never be left alone. Overall this article is paticually usuful as a researcher as it clearly describes the differences in distinguishing the types of depression as well as the servierty of postpartum depression which can be underrecognsied.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 20 people suffer from depression (2014). Although widely recognized and somewhat easy to diagnose, depression is an ignored and almost hidden, disease. In women, the statistics are especially grim for those who are pregnant or were recently pregnant. A great number of women suffer from postpartum depression; an illness which is often overlooked, misdiagnosed and untreated. Postpartum depression (PPD) has been defined as an emotional disorder that occurs in an estimated 10-15% of all women after childbirth (Liberto, 2010). Postpartum depression not only impacts the mother, but can cause long-term psychological challenges for the baby and create emotional turmoil for all family members.

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

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

In order to fully understand the narrator’s condition, it is essential to fully understand who she is, what her context is, and the mental disorder she is suffering from. Through her secret diary, we learn about the narrator’s experiences as a newlywed suffering from Postpartum Depression and the unhelpful advice of her husband John, who doubles as her doctor. The mental disorder the narrator is dealing with is called Postpartum Depression; a mental illness affecting 1 in 7 women in the United States alone, causing symptoms such as anxiety, excessive crying, changes in appetite, harmful or “scary thoughts,” and many more of the unusual actions portrayed by the narrator in her journal (“Postpartum Depression”). These symptoms are evident

Postpartum depression is a category of depression that can occur when a mother has a baby. The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to the symptoms of major depression. Postpartum depression is often experienced during the first month that the baby is born (Bolyn 2017). Some women experience postpartum depression during pregnancy (Bolyn 2017). A few symptoms of postpartum depression are excessive crying, loss of appetite, feelings of hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating (Bolyn 2017). Teen pregnancy contributes to a small percentage of women who are diagnosed with postpartum depression (Bolyn 2017). A pregnant woman is considered a teen mom if she is from the ages of

The overview of this article is postpartum depression in rural Unites States communities. Researchers search to find the causes and effects of postpartum depression in rural US communities. There are many reasons this is a problem because it not only effects women but it effects children, the family unit as a whole, communities and many other areas as well. There are people that move to rural areas because the cost of living can be cheaper and a family that is trying to save money could view rural home life as a way to save money. There can be a downside though this becomes the lack of quality healthcare, poor education opportunities, distance is typically too far for many to be able to see quality services this all aides in the problems with Postpartum Depression. Nurses are the frontline in spotting postpartum depression and there needs to be more screening for this major problem.

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

The current methods of treatment for postpartum depression include antidepressant medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants, and/or psychotherapy. However, there is a certain amount of risk when taken during pregnancy and lactation. These medications are a pregnancy category C and SSRIs, have been shown to have a slight risk of heart and lung birth defects (Reefhuis, Devine, Friedman, Louik, & Honein, 2015). In breastfeeding mothers, all psychiatric medications are secreted in breastmilk, and some

Hello, Muna thank you for your post. I am glad to hear that you experienced minimal medical problems while pregnant. However, you and I both were surprised to read the effects of inadequate nutrition while pregnant. Likewise, we learned specific cheeses and dairy products to avoid during pregnancy. According to the National Honor Society (NHS), pregnant women should avoid soft cheeses because they often contain listeriosis. The term Listeriosis occurs when foods eaten become contaminated with bacteria. However, it safe to eat hard cheeses made from pasteurized milk. In the article titled “Listeria and Pregnancy” at American pregnancy.org, it shares a pregnant woman infected with Listeriosis may experience flu-like symptoms (headaches, nausea, and vomiting). However, during the third trimester of pregnancy, the immune system is suppressed. Therefore, the best way to determine if a pregnant woman is ill from listeriosis is to take a blood test (NHS).

Depression, and other stressful feelings such as anxiety during prenatal period can be proved harmful to the mother, fetus and the expectant newborn's health. It is essential to investigate the incidence and risk factors for antenatal depression during pregnancy in order to implement interventions for reducing depressive symptomatology levels. Health care professionals must enhance the implementation of interventions and counseling services for decreasing the levels of trait anxiety and improving the marital relationships during pregnancy. Interventions such as relaxation techniques, stress management, couple counseling, and group therapies can play a positive role in

This article is an expert opinion based on review of previous literature and research, which seeks to provide a practical framework for approaching post-partum depression. But utilizing the Five E’s, encouragement, empathy, education, engagement, and evaluation, the author seeks to provide the practitioner with a thoughtful, low-cost, and effective approach to addressing and managing patients experiencing post-partum depression. The author purports that when reviewing previous studies, these five components have proven to be essential in improving care and outcomes of patients with post-partum depression, and provides an example case study to demonstrate how this method can be used in practice.