POST PARTAL

DEPRESSION
 Almost every woman notices some immediate
(1 to 10 days postpartum) feelings of sadness
(postpartal “blues”) after childbirth. This
probably occurs as a response to the
anticlimactic feeling after birth and also probably
is related to hormonal shifts as the levels of
estrogen, progesterone, and gonadotropin-
releasing hormone in her body decline or rise
Risk factors for postpartal depression
 include a history of depression
 a troubled childhood
 low self-esteem
 stress in the home or at work
 Lack of effective support people. Different
expectations between partners (if a woman
wants a child and her partner does not, for
example) or disappointment in the child (a
boy instead of a girl, for example)
could play major roles.
 It is difficult to predict which women will
develop post partal depression before birth,
because childbirth can result in so many
varied reactions; if factors could be identified,
pregnancy counseling might be able to
prevent symptoms (Haessler & Rosenthal,
2007).
 In the postpartal period, discovery of the
problem as soon as symptoms develop is a
NURSING PRIORITY. A number of
depression scales to help detect postpartum
depression are available but conscientious
observation and discussion with women can
reveal symptoms just as well.
 A woman may need counseling and
possibly antidepressant therapy to
integrate the experience of childbirth into
her life (Leahy-Warren & McCarthy,
2007).
POSTPARTAL
PSYCHOSIS
 The occurrence is rare, psychosis is usually
explained when the mother loses touch with
reality
 The cause of this usually results from crisis or
any triggers that factor into depression
 Needs immediate medical attention. Therapy
nursing roles psychotherapy, drug therapy or
referring to psychiatric care.
 Onset symptoms within first year after
birth includes delusion or hallucinations
of self harm or harming infant
 Incidence is 1-2% possible triggers to
psychosis is through hormonal changes,
mental illness or history of bipolar