Postpartum Depression: A Case Study

As the name suggests, Postpartum Depression, or PPD, is a serious mental health issue that develops after childbirth. PPD affects all family members involved, including the spouse, children, and the mother. Concurrently, researchers have ascribed persisting effects of postpartum depression which include cognitive delays, physical health problems, behavior problems, and abnormal interactions between parent and child. According to Sockol, Epperson, and Barber maternal attitudes plays a role in determining the symptoms of depression and anxiety among pregnant and postpartum first mothers (2014, p.199). Indicatively, major depressive episodes (MDE) relates to the vulnerability of sad mood but it has not been reconnoitered in postpartum. Hence,

During the first week postpartum, these symptoms are ostensible and can last for hours to a couple of days depending on the severity of the case. In addition, general postpartum state can be identified by an individual experiencing fatigue, anxiety, excessive guilt, and suicidal ideations. O’Hara found that in day 5 of early postpartum the subject is at a higher risk of postpartum blues and approximately 75% of women are exposed to sadness (as cited in Dowlati et al, 2014, p.17). In essence, the study determined that higher Depression Anxiety scores are imperative in finding the relationship between maternal attitudes towards childbirth and women’s risk of having suicidal

However, Figueiredo and Costa (2009) attest that fewer studies are conducted to examine how anxiety and depressive symptoms relate to the mother’s involvement with the fetus during pregnancy (Dubber et al.2014). Furthermore, it is vital for a mother to have a nurturing relationship with her fetus because it can improve the relationship between child and mother before birth. According to Alhusen (2013), “mothers who have higher maternal-fetal bonding demonstrate stable postpartum attachment styles along with progression in their child’s development in comparison to women with maternal-fetal bonding (Dubber et. al., 2014). Conversely, in the study that Figueiredo, Canário, and Field formed they explored the effects of prenatal and postpartum on breastfeeding and its effect on postpartum depression (p.927). Their findings suggested that by screening for depressive symptoms when a woman is pregnant will helps identify when a mother should stop breastfeeding in addition, the limited breastfeeding can decrease any symptoms of depression from childbirth. (Figueiredo, Canário, and Field, 2014). This relates to the study produced by Dubber et. al (2014), that found mothers who are more attached to their child during pregnancy are more likely to be closer to their child. Thus, breast feeding and maternal-fetal bonding has positive effects