The impact and management of postpartum depression on mothers
Essel, George; Maiyo, Boaz (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024061022656
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024061022656
Tiivistelmä
Postpartum depression is a mental disorder that has nothing to do with how much the mother loves the baby; instead, it is a natural phenomenon that occurs in most women after giving birth because of the changes in their lives brought about by the birthing experience, hormonal changes caused by childbirth, and the new responsibilities of having a baby. This thesis aims to address the effect and management of Postpartum depression among mothers. In doing so, the research questions were: (1) What are the effects of postpartum depression on mothers (2) How can postpartum depression be managed holistically? A qualitative research methodology was used to address the research questions; specifically, a literature review was done and an analysis of the selected literature that helped answer the research question was inductive content analysis. These involved assigning codes, developing sub-themes, and forming main themes.
The results of the studies are shown in sub-themes, which answer the research questions. The results, therefore, indicate that the effects of postpartum depression are Mother-family relationships, coping and mood difficulties, and clinically diagnosed disorders. In managing postpartum depression, screening is seen as an essential phase upon which other interventions are administered. It involves diagnosing mothers with PPD through tools such as EPDS. Based on this study, three main interventions were identified: psychosocial and psychological intervention, which address emotional, social, and psychological well-being by using tools such as peer support, counselling, family support and coaching, and psychoeducation. Pharmacological intervention involves the use of medication, especially antidepressants such as Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat severe PPD, and lastly, other interventions such as electroconvulsive therapy, which involves the usage of electric current on the scalp and delivering fast-changing magnetic field pulses. This is used in severe cases of PPD. It must be noted that Psychosocial and psychological intervention is the most widely used in the treatment of PPD.
The results of the studies are shown in sub-themes, which answer the research questions. The results, therefore, indicate that the effects of postpartum depression are Mother-family relationships, coping and mood difficulties, and clinically diagnosed disorders. In managing postpartum depression, screening is seen as an essential phase upon which other interventions are administered. It involves diagnosing mothers with PPD through tools such as EPDS. Based on this study, three main interventions were identified: psychosocial and psychological intervention, which address emotional, social, and psychological well-being by using tools such as peer support, counselling, family support and coaching, and psychoeducation. Pharmacological intervention involves the use of medication, especially antidepressants such as Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat severe PPD, and lastly, other interventions such as electroconvulsive therapy, which involves the usage of electric current on the scalp and delivering fast-changing magnetic field pulses. This is used in severe cases of PPD. It must be noted that Psychosocial and psychological intervention is the most widely used in the treatment of PPD.