Postpartum Depression: A Case Study

Pregnancy, labor, and the period after birth are said to be the most significant life experience that a women and her partner will encounter. This period of one’s life consists of extreme physical and emotional transition with intense hormonal, physical, and biological changes, all of which can have a great effect on the mothers’ health (Zaudeerer, 2009). Postpartum is the period after birth, during this period approximately 13% of new mothers experience significant symptoms of depression, this is referred to as postpartum depression (PPD) (Dennis, 2004). “PPD is most often detected between 2 and 6 weeks and can last up to 2 years if not treated” (Zaudeerer, 2009). However, Dennis states that identifying PPD can be problematic because women
In an effort to break the stigma and bring awareness, we have created an educational program for PPD used as an intervention to prevent the percentage of women experiencing this illness. Also, participants that experienced PPD were educated on warning signs and symptoms of PPD and had resources readily available for treatment. The control group received usual care, (i.e. discharge information, breastfeeding, and informational websites on infant care.) The intervention group received two extensive thirty-minute educational sessions on PPD. It was hypothesized that with the presence of educational preventions, the intervention group will report significantly less symptoms of PPD by the six moth postpartum checkup than the control
After obtaining all willing participants, the procedures of the study were discussed in depth and they received and signed a copy of the consent form. Participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group was visited at their 38 week visit, where the first educational intervention was administered. This intervention provided the expecting mother with an informational booklet about PPD, a prenatal depression screening using the PHQ-9 and EPDS, and symptoms of PPD and how to identify them. Participants were also provided a pamphlet of contact information, and encouraged to contact a professional if they began to experience any symptoms of PPD. This group was seen again at two days postpartum, at this time the second educational session took place. The importance of reporting symptoms of PPD was highlighted. This aspect of the intervention is crucial because “the social stigma of a lack of bonding or the possibility of a new mother not feeling complete bliss over the birth of her child causes the mother to remain silent (Zaudeerer, 2009). It was important that we highlighted these issues of stigmatization with this illness for two reasons. First, to ensure the women reach out and receive treatment if needed. Second, the data collected is as accurate as possible. By encouraging women to reach out for help, this allowed for more