Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the most common psychological disorders after childbirth and usually begins in the first 4 weeks after delivery. The progression of postpartum depression is essentially slow and unnoticeable, and does not appear until more than three months after delivery.
Depression is one of the most common clinical mental disorders affecting more than 300 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of mental disability. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a nonpsychotic mood or mental disorder that develops within 12 months of childbirth according to standardized diagnostic criteria. Postpartum depression is widespread, and symptoms include: changes in sleep and eating patterns, stress, sadness, crying, loneliness, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, low self-esteem, guilt, and suicidal ideation. Postpartum depression makes it difficult for mothers to take care of their babies and themselves, and affects their children's physical and mental health. It can lead to nutritional deficiencies, social and cognitive development in children.
Risk factors for postpartum depression
According to previous studies, the global prevalence of postpartum depression varies. In developed countries, the prevalence of postpartum depression (6% to 13%) is lower than in low- and middle-income countries, which are about 20%. The prevalence of postpartum depression varies widely in Asian countries. Studies conducted around the world have found that maternal age, job and financial problems, complications during pregnancy, history of miscarriage, depression during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, relationship with husband's family members, and unwanted pregnancy are significant contributors to postpartum depression .
Compared with mothers who had a second or more births, mothers who had first births had higher rates of postpartum depression, and mothers were more likely to suffer from postpartum depression and face problems adjusting to motherhood.
Likewise, the postpartum period is stressful, as new mothers are prone to mental illness or relapse and exacerbation of mental disorders. Published research has shown that postpartum depression has negative effects on child development, such as delayed cognitive, language, and behavioral problems. The prevalence of postpartum depression ranged from 6.8% to 21.5%. However, despite its high incidence, postpartum depression remains underappreciated and often goes unrecognized and untreated.
Most women fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, such as unusually sad feelings and disturbances in eating, sleep, memory, and concentration. In addition, most women are unaware of the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression for at least two weeks. Likewise, the inability of most women to distinguish heredity, prior history of depression, and hormonal imbalances are significant risk factors for postpartum depression. Stressful environments and lack of social support are also risk factors for postpartum depression.
Adverse consequences of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is an important public health problem. It is important to understand what new mothers know about depression after giving birth. Because postpartum depression can adversely affect the health of mothers and their children.
In a study comparing maternal mortality statistics in Finland, France and the US states of Massachusetts and North Carolina, 10 of 151 fertility-related deaths were due to suicide in mothers with postpartum depression.
Therefore, timely detection of maternal mood deterioration is critical, as it may negatively affect maternal-infant attachment and may inhibit neonatal development. Depressed mothers are more likely to exhibit inappropriate maternal behaviors, such as smoking or failing to restrain their infants in appropriately sized car seats, leading to medical and safety concerns. In addition, maternal depression was associated with higher rates of behavioral problems and cognitive impairment in infants. Postpartum depression has been shown to significantly impair a mother's quality of life four months after giving birth. Therefore, it is recommended that screening for postpartum depression be fully integrated into routine postpartum care.
Because postpartum depression typically occurs when the newborn enters the family, maternal postpartum depression increases the child's vulnerability to depression later in life. Therefore, strategies such as screening mothers for depressive symptoms and self-harm ideas are of substantial utility. Early detection of these conditions can also help avoid or minimize the use of drug therapy to treat psychological problems that children may face in the future.
Coping with postpartum depression
Low levels of postpartum mental health knowledge may prevent new mothers from identifying signs and symptoms of depression and professional help-seeking behaviors that minimize or normalize their depressive symptoms. Correspondingly, women with little knowledge of depression may have difficulty coping with their depressive symptoms and may exhibit maladaptive behaviors such as drinking and smoking. Therefore, it is important to assess the mental and mental health literacy of postpartum women to understand how they recognize, manage, and cope with postpartum depression.
Mental health literacy refers to "knowledge and beliefs that help identify, manage or prevent mental disorders". Mental health literacy also includes the ability to improve mental health and self-management. Postpartum depression literacy refers to a person's ability to recognize depression and make informed decisions.
Clinically, healthcare professionals (general internists, obstetricians, psychiatrists) are the number one resource for women with postpartum depression to seek help. Being able to recognize symptoms of postpartum depression is critical to a mother's mental health.
In conclusion, there is a need to increase women's self-awareness in antenatal delivery classes. Women often spend some time in the hospital after giving birth. Healthcare professionals may have a small opportunity to educate new mothers about the characteristics and symptoms of postpartum depression. Therefore, primary care providers, including midwives, need to be proactive in raising awareness among pregnant women and family members about postpartum depression and the availability of mental health services.
At the same time, there is an urgent need to raise awareness among women about postpartum depression. In addition, nursing professionals should educate pregnant women and their families about postpartum depression during prenatal classes, postpartum, and vaccination counseling. And, integrating mental health support systems with existing maternal health services is critical to improving overall outcomes. In addition, awareness of postpartum depression and mental health care should be raised among maternal health professionals. Research is also needed to effectively manage postpartum depression risk factors, preventive interventions, and treatments.
The weeks and months after giving birth can be stressful for mothers. While many women experience occasional sadness and anxiety after giving birth, some women experience longer-lasting, more severe symptoms that may be classified as postpartum depression, the onset of a depressive episode. Biological processes, including major changes in reproductive hormones, increase the risk of depression during this time. In addition, socioeconomic and psychological factors, such as low income, lack of support, and life stressors, may contribute to increased risk. If left untreated, maternal postpartum depression can adversely affect mothers, their partners, newborns, and the entire family. Therefore, clinical evidence-based treatment recommends psychotherapy and drug therapy.
In addition, some scholars believe that family or social support can provide important help for the mental health of new mothers. It is a tangible reaction that an individual obtains from others. These reactions can be recognition or recognition of the individual's valuable behavior by others. and affirmation of one's own point of view. Family or social support provides information for individuals to feel cared for, cared for, cared for, respected, and valued. Among them, the husband's support plays an important role in reducing the depression of the wife's postpartum depression.
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