You’ve carried this baby for months, acquired
more tiny clothes than your baby could ever
..
Signs and Symptoms
Postpartum psychosis
 Paranoid or bizarre delusions
 Severe mood swings
 Confused thinking
 Disorganized behavior that
results in a dramatic change
from previous functioning
 Is a danger to herself and her
baby
Prevention /Risk Factors
It is important for the mother and
families to be educated on signs and
symptoms of postpartum depression
so it can be caught early and treated.
You have a greater risk of getting
postpartum depression if:
 You've had depression or
postpartum depression
before.
 You have poor support from
your partner, friends, or
family.
 You have a sick or colicky
baby.
 You have a lot of other stress
in your life.
wear, decorated the perfect baby room, and
picked out the perfect name. You’ve anticipated
the moment of meeting your child. Wondered
what your little one would look like. You have
imagined the moments you would share
together, what you would teach this new being.
Treatment and Management You’ve felt the love, fears, and excitement of
becoming a new parent. You’ve planned,
Postpartum depression waited, and watched your belly grow, eager for
Postpartum depression is often treated with that important moment when you finally get to
counseling and medication prescribed by your Post Partum
meet your baby.
doctor. With appropriate treatment postpartum
usually goes away within a few months. Depression
 Recognize Know the signs and seek
treatment from your doctor “
 Help Don’t be afraid to ask family and
friends for help. Needing help does not “Can this happen to me?”
make you a bad mother. A new baby can
be very overwhelming.
 Counseling Through counseling, you can
find better ways to cope with your feelings,
solve problems and set realistic goals.
 Antidepressants Antidepressants are a
proven treatment for postpartum
depression. If you're breast-feeding, it's
important to know that any medication you
take will enter your breast milk. However,
some antidepressants can be used during
breast-feeding with little risk of side effects
for your baby. Consult with your doctor to
find out if this is for you.
Heidi Pye SPN
Arkansas State University
Searcy
References
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-
depression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_partum_depression
.
Medical- Surgical Nursing Seventh Edition
Foundations of Nursing Third Edition

Your baby is finally here and you have been
overwhelmed with your love for your new baby.
At the same time, you might find yourself
sitting on the couch in the middle of the
afternoon, still in your pajamas in desperate
need of a shower, but too exhausted to get up.
You see dishes in the sink, dirty laundry piling
high, and flies circling the offensive odor
coming from your overflowing trashcan. The
tears might start to flow as you wonder when
you'll get more than an hour and a half of sleep
at a time. You are wondering when you are
going to have the time or energy to get out of
the house. You stare at your flabby belly and
glare at your skinny jeans that your thighs may
never see again. You hear your baby cry and
continue to sit wishing you could just leave.
Feelings of anger and resentment fill your
mind as you finally muster the energy to check
on your baby. Why am I having these
thoughts? A fear of being discovered to be a
bad mother may be lurking in the back of your
mind. Is this baby blues or postpartum
depression?
Depression is not a flaw or weakness. It is not
your fault. It is sometimes a complication of
giving birth. Knowing the signs and getting
treatment can help so that you can manage
your symptoms and enjoy your baby.
Signs and Symptoms
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of clinical
depression seen in mothers who have recently
Postpartum Blues
given birth. It is linked to chemical, social, and
psychological changes associated with having a  Crying for no known reason
baby. There is more than one type of PPD.  Fatigue, anxiety, restlessness
 Headache
 Sadness
Post partum blues or “baby blues” is not PPD and
is much more common. It typically affects women 3
Mild PPD
days after giving birth and goes away after about 2
weeks.  Cares lovingly for infant but
does not feel love.
 Irritability, guilt , shame
Postpartum depression is similar to “baby blues”
 Unworthiness
but is more serious, intense, and persistent.
Approximately 12% of new mothers experience  Sense of a loss of self
more severe symptoms. PPD is further classified into
mild, moderate, and severe PPD. Moderate PPD
 Spontaneous crying
 Insomnia (inability to sleep)
Postpartum psychosis is the most dangerous form
 Hypersomnia (sleeping too
of depression in a new mother. It occurs in 1/1000
much)
births usually within the first 2-4 weeks of delivery
but can happen in as early as 2-3 days of postpartum.  Fatigue
 Decreased concentration
 Food Cravings
Severe PPD
 Uncontrollable crying
 Violent outbursts often
directed toward significant
others
 Will not discuss negative
feelings toward infant
 Disinterest
 Annoyance of care demands
 Thoughts of harming infant