About the author: Daniel Davis is a master in Literature at California University. He is currently working as one of the supreme writers  He also studies male psychology.

Postpartum depression is one of the most severe problems that both health care providers and mothers must consider to address during the prenatal period. The condition presents significant challenges such as sadness and restlessness, which can negatively affect the quality of life of the mothers. Moreover, the problem can influence the life of the baby later in life. An examination of the risk factors, clinical manifestations, effects on the child, diagnosis, patient teaching, assessment, evaluation, and prevention can provide crucial information to help in managing the condition.

Risk Factors

Various factors can predispose a mother to postpartum depression. According to Knights, Salvatore, Simpkins, Hunter, and Khandelwal (2016), some of the risk factors include the history of depression, family history, or experiences of significant stressful situations. Additionally, Knights et al. (2016) assert that women that have weak social support are likely to develop the depression. Moreover, women who have unplanned pregnancies are prone to postpartum depression due to the significant psychological problems that they develop during pregnancy (Knights et al., 2016). Therefore, healthcare providers must thoroughly examine these issues before intervening.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to those of clinical depression. According to Adama et al. (2015), patients with postpartum depression can experience mood swings and anxiety. Additionally, Adama et al. (2015) assert that the mothers may be sad, irritable, and cry all the time. Sometimes they can feel overwhelmed and worthless due to inability to control their situation. Moreover, Pope and Mazmanian (2016) ascertain that such women can lose appetite, have reduced concentration and insomnia. However, appropriate management of this condition can help women reduce such dangerous symptoms.

Effect on the Newborn and Its Future Development

Postpartum depression has serious adverse effects on the neonate and child development. On the neonate, Morais, Lucci, and Otta (2013) indicate that due to postpartum depression, the bonding between the mother and the neonate becomes ineffective, thus negatively affecting its well-being. On the child development, Morais et al. (2013) ascertain that children of such mothers experience delayed development due to a weak relationship with the mother. Thus, the children may have speech delay or may not make sound decisions later in life. By contrast, a strong bonding between the mothers and the neonates can prevent such problems.

Diagnosis

The most appropriate diagnostic approach involves understanding the psychological concerns of the mother. According to Knights et al. (2016), the healthcare provider can ask the woman about her thoughts and feelings. The obtained information can help in identifying whether the woman has postpartum depression. Additionally, the healthcare provider can conduct blood tests for thyroid function. According to Saltevo et al. (2015), reduced level of thyroid hormone can lead to depression. Therefore, nurses should rule out this diagnosis to reach the final diagnosis.

Nursing Teaching

The nurse must involve the patient in the management of postpartum depression to treat it effectively. McCarter?Spaulding and Shea (2015) assert that nurses should teach patients about the symptoms and the importance of seeking early care. Therefore, the nurse can help the patient to understand the symptoms and tell her that she should seek medical care when she experiences the symptoms. Most importantly, the nurse should inform the patient about the risk factors so that she can actively seek care to prevent the development of postpartum depression. The understanding of the symptoms and risk factors can enhance mother’s participation in managing the condition.

Assessment

A detailed nursing assessment can help the nurse to diagnose postpartum depression in women. According to Adama et al. (2015), women with postpartum depression often present with various psychological concerns. Therefore, the nurse must assess different factors that might have interfered with the mother’s mental stability. First, the nurse can assess if the patient had any occurrence of depression in the past. Then, the nurse can determine the presence of risk factors such as job loss, a child with any disability, and other related stressors. Finally, the nurse must assess the psychological state of the mother before delivery. The gathered information can assist the nurse in planning the care of the mother during the postpartum period.

Evaluation after Teaching

The aim of patient teaching is to make the mother participate actively in the management of postpartum depression. McCarter?Spaulding and Shea (2015) assert that if the mother understands her potential symptoms, she can take part in preventing them. Therefore, the nurse can check whether the mother has learned the symptoms. Moreover, the nurse can evaluate whether the woman has recognized the importance of counseling and express her feelings and participate in daily activities. This approach can help the nurse to predict mother’s participation in managing postpartum depression.

Prevention of Postpartum Depression

The nurse can collaborate with the mother to prevent the occurrence of postpartum depression. According to Sockol, Epperson, and Barber (2013), the nurse can monitor the mother carefully for symptoms of postpartum depression during the prenatal period. Then, Sockol et al. (2013) recommend engaging mothers who face the risk of developing postpartum depression in support groups. Finally, Sockol et al. (2013) recommend a thorough check up of the mother immediately after the child is born to identify if she has the symptoms of depression to intervene appropriately. These measures have been found effective to reduce postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression presents significant challenges to mothers and children. Mothers can have difficulties dealing with daily activities due to the psychological problems that they experience. Additionally, children can have delayed mental development due to weak bonding. Therefore, nurses should assess various psychological issues that lead to postpartum depression. They must collaborate with mothers in monitoring the symptoms. This approach can help them to identify any problems and prevent the condition promptly using reliable methods such as support groups.