Postpartum Depression by Ms. Stephanie Ampofo
🌈 THE MIDWIFE'S CORNER
Today's topic will be on Postpartum Depression
WHAT IS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)?
✅ PPD refers to a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest after childbirth.
👩🏾⚕➡*Typically, it develops within 4-6 weeks after giving birth
❇ *SYMPTOMS OF PPD*
✅ crying a lot
✅ feeling guilty
✅ frequent irritability
✅ lack of appetite
✅ loss of libido
✅ panic attacks
✅ sleeping problems
✅ unexplained lack of interest in the new baby
✅ lack of desire to meet up or stay in touch with friends
👩🏾⚕➡ Researchers in JAMA Psychiatry reported that PPD affects approximately 1 in 7 new mothers
❇ CAUSES OF PPD
The exact causes are still unknown thus attributed to multiple factors
✅ Prenatal depression
✅ Extreme worry about baby and responsibilities of being a parent
✅ Difficult labour and childbirth
✅ Lack of family support
✅ Worries about relationships
✅ Financial difficulties
✅ Loneliness
✅ Hormonal changes
✅ Health consequences following childbirth
❇ TREATMENT FOR PPD
✅ Antidepressants
✅ Talking therapies e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
👩🏾⚕➡ Most studies agree that the best results come from a combination of talking therapy with medication
❇ PREVENTION OF PPD
The National Health Service (United Kingdom), recommends these:
✅ Follow a well-balance, healthy diet
✅ Rest - get at least 7- 8 hours of good quality sleep each night
✅ Maintain blood sugar level by eating frequently
✅ Be open- talk to close friends, partners, and family members about how you feel
👩🏾⚕➡ Don't sacrifice your dear wife, sister or friend's life to postpartum depression
👩🏾⚕➡ Encourage them to visit a health professional to check their mental health status before and after birth. Don't abandon them
*REFERENCES*
https://www.nhs.uk/condDon'ts/pregnancy-and-baby/mental-health-problems-pregnant/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237109.php
https://www.nyahomedical.com/healthy-living/post-partum-depression-ghana
By: Stephanie Ampofo
(School of Nursing and Midwifery)
Stephanieampofo89@gmail.com
0266373596
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