The Criteria for PPD is identical to depression it just occurs within 4 weeks of birth
Commonality and associated effects
- 10-16% of women experience postpartum depressiom.
- PPD is often normalised as baby blues.
- Sufferers can feel isolated as childbirth is culturally celebrated so the expectation is that new mothers are joyful
- Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death
- PPD is seen across all cultures and socioeconomic status
- PPD can have lasting effects of children (still face experiment)
Understanding PPD
PPD can occur due to a number of things but some things to think about are:
- Biological changes: After childbirth there are massive sudden changes in hormone levels, lack of sleep, pain, and feeding issues
- Stress: Sudden change in lifestyle and expectations to be a happy mother can lead to streaa
- Feelings of loss:
- Loss of autonomy
- Loss of opportunity
- Loss of relationship with partners friends
- Loss of finances
- Loss of sexuality, femininity, appearance
- Loss of occupational identity and struggle over if working or not (guilt)
Risk factors of PPD
These can contribute to the likelihood of PPD
- Previous history of depression or PPD (Heavily predicts PPD)
- Discontinuation of medication by a woman with a history of depression
- Childhood abuse
- Negative attitude towards pregnancy
- Lack of social support
- Having twins or triplets
- Losing a baby
- Complications of pregnancy - risk of PTSD
Detection of PPD
- Screen all women that have recently had a child
- Consult with patient and or Family
- Edinburgh postnatal depression scale
- PHQ-9 for depression
Impacts of PPD
(Especially severe when PPD is chronic, severe and/or untreated)
- Effect of mothers interactions of the child:
- Decrease in infant mental stimulation
- Decrease in caring for infant
- Increased behavioural problems when young
- Poorer educational outcomes
- Diminished social competence
- Increase rates of mental disorder and risky behaviour in childhood and adolescence