Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth, causing feelings of frustration, anxiety, sadness, and exhaustion. PPD can occur within the first year after delivery and affects 10-15% of new mothers. Left untreated, PPD can negatively impact both the mother's well-being and the child's development. Healthcare providers should assess new mothers for PPD risk factors, symptoms, and safety concerns. Treatment may involve counseling, support groups, medication, or a combination. Raising awareness of PPD and ensuring treatment options are available can help address this common yet serious condition.

2. Postpartum Depression is
a mood disorder that can
affect women after
childbirth and is often
associated with physical
and emotional challenges
that can be overwhelming
and lead to feeling of
frustration, anxiety,
sadness, and exhaustion.

3. • Preoccupied, unfocused, and might
ignore their baby
• Handle their baby without making eye
contact
• Easily irritable
• Handle their baby roughly
• Be reluctant to breastfeed
• Demonstrate less affection and fewer
responses to infant cues
• Seem anxious and insecure
• Be fearful of harming their baby or
themselves
• Somatic complaints (Pain)

4. Overlooked as normal effects of childbirth:
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight loss
• Low energy
• Diminished concentration
• Indecisiveness
• Constipation
• Change in eating patterns
• Blank facial expression
• Inattention to personal hygiene

5. Socioeconomic factors, life
stressors, behavioral characteristics,
and personality/psychological
factors increase risk of PPD.
PPD can occur at anytime from 2
days to one year after childbirth.
Men can also develop PPD
It can effect the entire family

6. PPD has a negative affect not
only on the mother’s life, but also
on the child.
Accumulating evidence suggest that PPD can affect childhood
growth and development, and can increase the risk of cognitive
impairment, long-term speech and attention disorders, and
depression in adulthood.

7. Postpartum blues
affect up to 85% of
postpartum women
Between 10-15% of
postpartum women
develop PPD
1-2:1000 develop
postpartum
psychosis
Estimated 4000
infants are born to
women who are
depressed
Women with a history of PPD or Postpartum psychosis, risk of recurrence is
up to 90%

8. It has been estimated that the prevalence of PPD in
low income women in the Texas coastal bend area is
around 23%. The same estimates state the
prevalence in Corpus Christi to be 21%.

9. PPD Varies in severity, manifestations are
similar to those that characterize major
depression and include insidious onset
of lack of interest, intense sadness that
persists for months, lack of
concentration, insomnia, fatigue, suicidal
ideation, and social isolation.

11. Patient history:
• Ask about a personal or
family history of depression
or PPD
• Assess for suicide risk
Findings of particular interests:
• Bruises on the infant from rough
handling
• Obvious neglect of the infant (soiled
diaper, infant hygiene)
Encourage and assist in developing a support
system that includes the dad, friends, and family
Counseling can also be recommended
Collaborate with client and interdisciplinary team
about antidepressant medications (SSRI)

13. Promote Optimal Post-Pregnancy
Physiologic and Psychological Transition
Promote Emotional Well-Being and
Educate

14. Assess the mother’s anxiety level, coping
ability, and for knowledge deficits
regarding PPD
Provide emotional support Educate and encourage discussion
about PPD risk factors,
pathophysiology of PPD, risks and
benefits related to receiving drug
treatment for PPD, psychosocial
support, counseling options, and
individualized prognosis

15. IMMEDIATELY notify facility security, ER/ED staff, and
treating physician if a mother appears extremely
agitated, avoids her baby, and/or voices thought of
harming herself, her baby, or others

16. Women with PPD frequently do not understand what is
happening to them and avoid seeking help because of the
stigma associated with the mental health conditions.
Nueces County Resources
Nueces County MHMR
Community Center
102 North 4th St.
Robstown Texas 78380
(361) 387-3588 or Crisis phone
number (361) 814-8633
Kleberg County Resources
Coastal Plains (Kleberg)
914 East Fodyce
Kingsville, Texas 78363
(361) 592-6481 or Crisis
Hotline 1-800-841-6467
Jim Wells County Resources
Coastal Plains Center
(provides for Jim Wells, Duval)
1165 East Main
Alice, Texas 78332
(361) 664-9587 or Crisis
Hotline 1-800-841-6467
https://dshs.texas.gov/mch/depression.shtm#n

18. Slide:
1
http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Focus-at-Four-Mental-illness-survivors-share-stories-hope-awareness-422846084.html
2
https://www.parents.com/baby/health/postpartum-depression/could-postpartum-depression-happen-to-you/
3
https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/postpartum-depression-facts-myths/
4
https://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/11/29/7-ways-to-fight-postpartum-depression-without-medication/
5
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/parenting/postpartum-depression-dads-20180416-story.html
https://www.scarymommy.com/when-the-bough-breaks-a-heart-wrenching-look-at-postpartum-depression/
6
https://study.com/academy/course/human-growth-development-syllabus-resource-lesson-plans.html
7
https://apessay.com/order/?rid=cc49f4f3231bb03f
8
https://www.hwnt.org/corpus-christi
9
http://www.webcalcsolutions.com/Mental-Health-Assessments/Postpartum-Depression.asp?AcctNum=1&Index=91369614819973341
10
https://www.hmhb-hawaii.org/information/postpartum-depression-ppd/
11
http://www.senatorhutchinson.com/news/press-releases/179-new-law-acknowledges-tragic-effects-of-untreated-postpartum-depression-psychosis
12
http://cope.org.au/health-professionals-3/perinatal-mental-health-disorders/calculating-score-epds/
13
https://www.rhythmofbirth.com/blog/can-you-relax-during-labor
14
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/treating-depression-substance-abuse/
15
https://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2016/04/07/flag-sin-and-the-mouth/woman-waving-red-flag/
Pictures used
obtained from
these websites

19. Halter, Margaret. Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 8th Edition. Elsevier
(HS-US), 9-1-2017. VitalBook file.
Retrieved from www.postpartumdepression.org on August 13, 2018.

20. Mental Health: Postpartum Depression
Clinical Group of Mr. Green, MSN, RN
Norma Jean Bullard, ADNS
Sienna Comiso, ADNS
Brenda Flores-Diaz, ADNS
Kendra Duncan, ADNS
Brandon Garcia, ADNS
Steven Gates, ADNS
Sabrina Sanchez, ADNS
Del Mar College of Nursing
RNSG 2363.601.S1
August 13, 2018