BEST PRACTICE NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR MOTHERS WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Abstract

Purpose: To develop evidence-based best practice recommendations for nursing care professionals to reference when caring for postpartum women in regard to postpartum depression (PPD). Background: Postpartum women are at a significant risk for developing PPD. This condition is highly undertreated and underreported and is also poorly treated with typical methods such as antidepressant medications. Integrative, non-pharmacological modalities to combat symptoms of PPD may be effective when mothers are properly educated about how to implement them. Approach to practice: These best practice recommendations have been collected from a literature review conducted by searching PubMed and Google Scholar with the following keywords: “postpartum depression treatment” and “postpartum depression intervention”. The articles included in this search were published from 2015 to 2019. Nine articles were included in this literature review. Outcomes: The best practice recommendations for care presented in this thesis have been compiled for nursing professionals to reference when caring for postpartum women in order to reduce symptoms of PPD. Depending on the specific intervention, some may be best implemented prior to the birth of the child, while others may be most effective in the postpartum period. Conclusions: Postpartum depression is a complex condition that may plague any new mother. With the use of these best practice recommendations for care of postpartum mothers, PPD symptoms may be reduced, providing for a better quality of life for both the mother and her child.