to alert parents and family members to possible postpartum blues

[GingerSue]

in order to alert parents and family members about the possibility of postpartum blues (and other psychiatric disorders) in a primipara

I'm trying to write a nursing diagnosis

Risk for psychiatric disorders{such as postpartum blues or postpartum major mood disorder} related to possible rapid alteration of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin levels after birth

any thoughts?

thanks

[november17, ASN, RN]

Risk for psychiatric disorders{such as postpartum blues or postpartum major mood disorder} ]

Is that a NANDA approved diagnosis?

[GingerSue]

I really don't know if it's NANDA approved

but I don't see anything so far in my searching

I see "Risk for self-directed violence" or "Risk for suicide"

would it be better to start with one of those - considering that this is anticipatory teaching of a primipara, and being a primipara is a risk factor for postpartum depression

and postpartum blues are more severe in a primipara, so that the partner should encouraged to watch for and report signs that the new mother is not returning to a more normal mood but is slipping into a deeper depression

- it is an adjustment reaction

I'm looking for input

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Consider Risk for Post-trauma Syndrome R/T trauma of labor and delivery.

[GingerSue]

thanks

but if the cause is estrogen, progesterone, prolactin alteration - then how do these fit in with post-trauma

I could understand the postpartum blues - occurring within a few days

but the postpartum depression may occur any time during the first year, greatest risks occurring around the fourth week, just prior to menses, and upon weaning (but then I think of post traumatic stress problems that can occur later on in a person's life)

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Postpartum blues are due to depression which is triggered by the process of labor and delivery which is the "trauma".

[sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN]

At risk for altered mental processes due to L/D related hormone fluxuations. ??? Might work.

[GingerSue]

thanks for the ideas