Running head NURSING AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION 1

Nursing and Postpartum Depression

Name

Institution
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The use of medication to treat mental disorders is used by psychiatrists in different

scenarios. Every patient needs a unique prescription as the disorders vary with individuals.

This means that the medical practitioners face new cases each day. Post and ante child birth

bring different occurrences to the mother. Apart from the labour pain, women will undergo

other problems like mood swing and depression. Excessive depression lead to a situation

called postpartum depression[ CITATION Che09 \l 2057 ]. This type of illness falls within three

categories. The first category is called blue babies, followed by postpartum depression and

then postpartum psychosis. They depict different symptoms as they change from one level to

the next. The use of depressants and mood stabilizers has elicited hot debate among the

medical fraternity. The use or forgone use of depressants or mood stabilizers eludes different

views from recorded researches and surveys[ CITATION SNa07 \l 2057 ]. The following paper

seeks to expound on: For pregnant women previously diagnosed with postpartum depression,

does antidepressant/mood stabilizer use during pregnancy, versus no medication use during

pregnancy, lead to a lower recurrence of postpartum depression (as evidenced by hospital

admission rates, suicide attempts, and self-harm behaviour?

The definition of postpartum depression comes from the two words put forth. It is

long term mood change and depression experienced by a woman prior and after delivering.

These disorders presents in different ways as symptoms. There are three types of postpartum

depressions. The first is called blue babies. This type occurs to more than 70% of all mothers.

It happens some hours before birth to a maximum of 12 days after birth[ CITATION Car11 \l

2057 ]. Some of the symptoms include; crying unnecessarily, ignorance of new born care,

anger, irritation, lack of appetite and anxiety. Postpartum depression follows from blue

babies. It occurs to below 20% of the expectant and delivered mothers[ CITATION Rut12 \l 2057

]. Symptoms include; loss of interest in sex, full blown mood swing, thought to commit
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suicide, fatigue, low self esteem, anhedonia thus low libido and intrusive thoughts.

Postpartum psychosis is the extreme of the whole situation. It is rarely reported among

women. The pronounced symptom is the situation of auditory hallucinations. Patients

experiencing this type of disorder should seek immediate medical treatment to avoid other

dangers[ CITATION Bar08 \l 2057 ].

Treatment of the three levels of postpartum depression depends on an individual. Blue

babies are short lived and don’t need medication or psychiatric help. Support groups enhance

recuperation from these symptoms. Postpartum depression can be mild and inconsequential.

Violent and persistent postpartum depression, call for medication from psychiatrics. From

this point of view, administration of depressants and mood stabilizers is prescribed. Mild

waves of depression can be countered by psychotherapy or support groups. More severe and

violent symptoms like mild hallucinations are overpowered by depressants. Medical

practitioners like psychiatrics use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors[ CITATION All12 \l

2057 ]. These come in different brand names. They have no or less side effects on the

lactation process of a mother. Side effects of SSRI do not reach the unborn of suckling baby.

In the past generations, tricyclic antidepressants were used. They are more powerful than

SSRI and their side effects are more lethal. An overdose of TCA can lead to detrimental

results. They include weight gain and deformities during child growth. Therefore, psychiatric

advise women to seek the best cure for postpartum disorders[ CITATION Fra12 \l 2057 ].

The causes of postpartum depression determine the medication to be administered to

the patient. Depression caused by lack of support from family or husband are easily

eliminated by showing care. Other sources of stress in life lead to a higher risk of developing

postpartum depression. Therefore, families should take close care of expectant and lactating

mothers. Previous occurrence of postpartum depression shows the likelihood of a

repeat[ CITATION Den08 \l 2057 ]. Acute depression leads to death of the mother, child or both.

As a result of hallucinations, fatigue, lack of care of child and thought of suicide death occur.

Through time, various questions have been put forward to ignite a discussion among medical

practitioners. Researchers have invested time while governments have pumped in resources

to alleviate child mortality. The argument for treatment or use of medication during

pregnancy elicits negative opinions. Treating non existing problems does not mean that they

will not occur. As they are not triggered by some deficiency in the body, they cannot be

avoided. Hormonal control through use of medications can achieve positive

outcome[ CITATION Gra09 \l 2057 ].

Postpartum depression leads to child mortality and death of women before they raise

their children. Cultural views have played a major role in the society on postpartum

depressions. Use of medication in the form of depressants and mood stabilizers cannot be

applied during pregnancy[ CITATION Car111 \l 2057 ]. They are used depending on the response

of the patient to different medication administered. Support groups and psychiatric

counselling are applied in mild postpartum depression. Depressants with mild or no side

effects are advised to be used by nursing fraternity. The society should be mobilised to

emulate and involve moral support to expectant and lactating mothers. Future discussions in

the ailment will lead to reduced cases of deaths and suicide cases. Medications reduce

prevalent cases of postpartum depression thus a healthy nation.

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