Postpartum Depression In Nursing

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Postpartum depression has emerged as an important issue to nurses working in the health care setting due to the potential effects on infants and children (Meadows-Oliver, 2012). Depression is a leading cause of disability, and women are greatly affected by it. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs frequently during the first three months after delivery, thus making it one of the most common postpartum complications. Some characteristics of postpartum depression can interfere with maternal functioning such as loss of interest, agitation, depression, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and decreased concentration (Horowitz, Murphy, Gregory, Wokcik, Pulcini & Solon, 2013, p. 2). These characteristics of postpartum depression affect the mother and extend to the infant. …show more content…

203). Pregnant women and postpartum mothers are at a higher risk for depression than non-pregnant women (Baldwin & Kelly, 2015). Nurses must know and recognize the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and provide efficient, competent care without being judgmental and offensive. This may encourage the patient to share their feelings. It is the nurses’ responsibility to provide accurate information to the mothers who have postpartum depression. In this paper, I will be discussing postpartum depression, the emotional and mental health effects that may be experienced by the mothers and their families, and what nurses can do to assess for postpartum depression to support this

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