Question

how we will apply post partun depression theory in to practice ?

Answer 1

Postpartum depression occurs in 10% to 20% of women who have recently given birth but fewer than half of the cases are recognized. Opportunities for routing postpartum depression screening include mothers’ postpartum office visits (approximately 4-6 weeks after delivery) and their infants’ well-child visits.

For many women, the postpartum period can be a stressful time and may lead to the onset of mood disorders. Some patients experience postpartum “blues,” which normally occur within 2-4 days postpartum. The patient’s mood is labile, and she may feel happy or excited, only to be sad, depressed, anxious, and irritable a few hours later. The symptoms are generally mild and selflimited and usually get better within a few days or 1–2 weeks without any treatment. All women with postpartum blues should be monitored for continuing or worsening symptoms. Postpartum depression can occur up to 1 year after having a baby, but it most commonly starts about 1–3 weeks after childbirth.

Women who suffer from postpartum depression are persistently depressed for more than two weeks. Typical symptoms, which are present for at least two weeks, most of the time include:

 Feelings of sadness or low mood; feeling “down”

 Loss of interest and/or pleasure in usual activities

 Difficulty concentrating  General fatigue and loss of energy

 Difficulty sleeping or an increased need for sleep

 Significant weight or appetite loss or gain

 Excessive or inappropriate guilt

 Feelings of worthlessness

 Feelings of hopelessness

 Recurring thoughts about death or suicide

 Significant difficulty in the ability to care for oneself

 Significant difficulty in the ability to care for the newborn

 Significant difficulty coping with family relationships

In addition, feelings of unexplained anxiety and/or irritability may be present.