Screening Mothers for Postpartum Depression: A Guide for Pediactric and Obstetric Advanced Practice Nurses

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prominent mental health issue in 10-15% of mothers after childbirth. Untreated PPD has a large impact on the family unit, especially the children, and can result in affected psychosocial development, psychiatric disorders, or violent behavior. The following symptoms may be present: loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite disturbances, negative feelings, and thoughts of self-harm. Several themes have emerged regarding the lack of screening and intervention by primary care providers. This guide will explore those themes and discuss what pediatric/obstetric nurse practitioners can do to improve screening and detection rates. These practitioners are among the first postpartum mothers and families will come into contact with. Therefore, these practitioners have an opportune moment to provide early screening, detection, and intervention. This can be done correctly and successfully via clinical indicators and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). By advancing education and training, along with having referrals and resources on-hand, practitioners have a better opportunity at providing affected postpartum women with quality and timely healthcare.