Redesigned community postpartum care to prevent and treat postpartum depression in women – a one‐year follow‐up study

Abstract

Public health nurses are well positioned to identify and treat depressed mothers and provide referrals when needed. A small investment in training nurses to identify and treat postpartum depression can be cost-effective in the longer term. These findings have implications for service delivery in public health.

Factores de riesgo asociados a la aparición de alteraciones emocionales durante el periodo perinatal y el puerperio: Un estudio preliminar en una muestra de mujeres embarazadas a través de e-Health

“…Hasta la fecha, según señalan en sus trabajos Glavin et al (2010) y Field (2011, de entre toda esa posible gama de alteraciones emocionales a las que pueden verse expuestas las mujeres gestantes, las alteraciones psicológicas más estudiadas han sido, históricamente: la tristeza posparto (tPP) o babyblues, la depresión posparto (DPP), la psicosis posparto (PPP) y la depresión prenatal (DePRen).…”

Screening and Prevention of Postnatal Depression

“…In spite of growing evidence that postnatal depression can be effectively treated and possibly prevented (Brugha et al, 2011;Glavin et al, 2010aGlavin et al, , 2010bMorrell et al, 2009a), this disturbance is still undetected or untreated in many women (Dennis, 2009). Several barriers to detection and treatment are described: women lack knowledge about postnatal depression, they deny or minimize their symptoms, they assume their problems are common after giving birth, or they are not aware of the treatment options.…”

“…The training should include the nature, detection and treatment of postnatal depression. Recent studies provide evidence that health professionals can be trained to identify, prevent and treat postnatal depression in women (Brugha et al, 2011;Glavin et al, 2010aGlavin et al, , 2010bGlavin et al, , 2010cMorrell et al, 2009aMorrell et al, , 2009b. Nurses are well positioned to counsel depressed mothers about treatment options, to make recommendations and to provide referrals (Horowitz & Goodman, 2005;Wickberg & Hwang, 2003;Glavin et al, 2010b).…”

“…Maternal depressive symptoms might also contribute to unfavourable parenting practices (McLearn et al, 2006), and depressed mothers report higher parenting stress than non-depressed mothers (Abidin, 1995;Glavin et al, 2010b;Morrell et al, 2009a). Early intervention through primary health services within the existing system has been shown to prevent long-term postnatal depression (Brugha et al, 2011;Dennis & Creedy, 2004;Elliott et al, 2001;Glavin et al, 2009Glavin et al, , 2010b. Thus, identifying and treating postnatal depression as early as possible may be essential.…”

“…Due to disturbed maternal sensitivity, the child may develop an insecure attachment to its mother, which may affect the child's later emotional and cognitive development (Campbell et al, 2004;Dennis, 2004;McLearn et al, 2006). Maternal depressive symptoms might also contribute to unfavourable parenting practices (McLearn et al, 2006), and depressed mothers report higher parenting stress than non-depressed mothers (Abidin, 1995;Glavin et al, 2010b;Morrell et al, 2009a). Early intervention through primary health services within the existing system has been shown to prevent long-term postnatal depression (Brugha et al, 2011;Dennis & Creedy, 2004;Elliott et al, 2001;Glavin et al, 2009Glavin et al, , 2010b.…”