Postpartum Period• Period after childbirth or delivery • About 6 weeks • Or until mothers body has completed its adjustment and returned to a nearly prepregnant state • Adjustments are
Trang 1The Postpartum Period
Chapter 3
Trang 2Postpartum Period
• Period after childbirth or delivery
• About 6 weeks
• Or until mothers body has completed its adjustment and returned to a nearly
prepregnant state
• Adjustments are physical, emotional and psychological
Trang 3Physical Adjustments
• Fatigue
• Can undermine ones sense of well being
• And confidence to cope with a new baby and a new family life
• Loss of sleep
• Contributes to stress, marital conflict, and impaired decision making
• Poor quality of sleep
• Disrupted, fragmented sleep
• Linked to postpartum depression
• Hormone production drops
Trang 4Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Several weeks to long term emotional swings
• Postpartum blues
• 70% of new mothers in US
• 2-3 days after birth, they feel depressed, anxious, and upset
• May come and go for several months
• Usually go away after one or two weeks
Trang 5Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Postpartum depression
• Major depressive episode
• Typically 4 weeks after delivery
• Strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair
• At least 2 weeks trouble coping with their daily tasks
• Without treatment, can become worse and last for many months
• 10-14% of new mothers experience
• Often do not seek help
Trang 6Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Postpartum depression risk factors
• History of depression
• depression and anxiety during pregnancy
• Neuroticism - negative state of fear, anxiety, worry, frustration
• Loss self-esteem
• Postpartum blues
• Poor marital relationship, low levels of social support
Trang 7Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Postpartum depression risk factors
• Perinatal complications
• Infant health and temperament
• Type of delivery
• History of physical abuse
• Migrant status
• Postpartum physical complications
Trang 8Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Treatment
• Antidepressant drugs
• Psychotherapy, especially cognitive therapy
• Regular exercise
Trang 9Emotional and Psychological Adjustments
• Other concerns of postpartum depression
• Interaction with baby difficulties
• Care giving activities (feeding, sleep routines, safety practices)
• Fathers may experience depression, jealousy
• Study: higher support by fathers was related to a lower incidence of
depression in women
Trang 10• The formation of a physical connection between parents and baby Early on
after birth
• Research is mixed
• Seems to be more beneficial/needed for mother than for baby
• May help with improved integration after leaving the hospital