A discussion about the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression should always be a part of prenatal visits and childbirth preparation classes. Postpartum nurses need to be knowledgeable about high-risk factors and share this information with families. Emphasize the importance of seeking professional help early if the mother is experiencing more than the baby blues. All mothers are at risk for developing postpartum depression and families should not be embarrassed to seek treatment. Educational material about postpartum depression and telephone numbers of mental health providers and a local postpartum support group should be readily available to women and their families.
Some hospitals provide follow-up telephone calls or home visits to assess the mother's condition.
However, since most mothers are discharged from the hospital within 24 hours of giving birth, family awareness about postpartum depression can supplement the efforts of nurses in helping depressed mothers. Postpartum emotional disorders can be differentiated by incidence in new mothers, onset, severity of symptoms, and the mother's contact with reality. Periodic crying, poor concentration, fatigue, rapid mood changes, and hostility toward partner. Disoriented, depersonalization, associated with risk of suicide. This module was updated in 1999 by Peggy Martin, RN, BSN, who is a pregnancy healthline counselor with The Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative.