Risk Postpartum Depression Diagonosis Please!!!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 23, 2005

As a nurse, it's your job to address her getting help w/her depression. LOTS Of teaching about PP depression and where to get help, if a crisis is to arise, is critical.....

ALSO---it's very important to include her loved ones in the teaching. Sometimes, we become depressed, to a point of crisis, and do not recognize it, but our loved ones see "something" is wrong. Help them recognize when to intervene and get the new mother help, preferably therapy and medical assistance.

Teaching the difference between "baby blues" and true depression is so important. Since this gal already has a history, your job is to help her recognize this and seek help, sooner than later. Discussing this w/her health care provider is very appropriate, as well. Also, be available to listen if she needs someone to talk to, very important.

If you see a failure to bond w/her baby, this is a huge problem, one you need to report to her care providers and perhaps, social workers, to work out. This is a danger sign. Such moms and babies need in-home follow-up after discharge.

Hope this helps.

AggieNurse2B · Sep 23, 2005

God bless you for this post! I had PPD with my 2nd child, and let me tell you, it is completely debilitating and I literally thought I would die from it. I really wish more nurses would learn to recognize the signs...Or maybe it's that they're just too busy to check for them. I think we can all agree that they're definitely overworked and underpaid.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 23, 2005

I suffered PPD w/both my kids' births. the 2nd case "snuck up" on me and really was debilitating. It's amazing the denial I lived in during that time. I thought I was 'fine". My dh was the one to recognize the problem before I was in serious crisis. It took months for me to be "ok" again. I also have a history of depression episodes since about age 13. So I was at risk anyhow. I just thought going on Prozac would be enough. Wrong.

I have learned a lot. I have also learned THERAPY is at LEAST as important as medication. You need to attack the problem from different angles to be completely well. Trust me, it made all the difference, finding a good therapist. The issues underlying my depression are being successfully tackled and I am getting better every day.

RaeT,RN · Sep 23, 2005

In the most recent issue of JOGNN (Sept/Oct 2005, Vol 34, Number 5) there are several articles on PPD. There is a huge emphasis on fatigue being one of the mitigating factors - how about teaching her to sleep when baby sleeps, elicit much help from her partner at home, maybe even employ the grandmother for an evening for feedings to help her get rest????? The articles are really great . . .

AggieNurse2B · Sep 23, 2005

I understand that women who get PPD are 80% more likely to get it again after a subsequent birth. I believe pg women who are at risk (like me!) are now able to medicate BEFORE the birth of the baby to prevent it from sneaking up. That's the ONLY reason I would ever consider having another baby. My hesitation is that I don't think I could live through another bout of PPD.

I suffered PPD w/both my kids' births. the 2nd case "snuck up" on me and really was debilitating. It's amazing the denial I lived in during that time. I thought I was 'fine". My dh was the one to recognize the problem before I was in serious crisis. It took months for me to be "ok" again. I also have a history of depression episodes since about age 13. So I was at risk anyhow. I just thought going on Prozac would be enough. Wrong.
I have learned a lot. I have also learned THERAPY is at LEAST as important as medication. You need to attack the problem from different angles to be completely well. Trust me, it made all the difference, finding a good therapist. The issues underlying my depression are being successfully tackled and I am getting better every day.

RENAISSANCE RN · Sep 23, 2005

Please give her time and space... Another thing.. let her know it's not her fault and she isn't a awful person because of it.