Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression

More than one in 10 new mothers is thought to experience significant postpartum depression. The condition has a substantial impact on the whole family, and while effective treatments are available, fewer than half of cases are detected in routine care.

Postpartum depression is typically diagnosed a month to a year after childbirth. Formal screening in the U.S. is often carried out using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a 10-item, self-rated instrument. It can be quickly scored, and a woman who meets a threshold score can be assessed in more detail.  This talk will discuss postpartum depression and the screening tool used for it as well as treatment and referral for mothers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the difference between normal “baby blues,” peripartum depression, and postpartum psychosis.
2. Gain knowledge about the impact of postpartum depression on children and families.
3. Identify risk and protective factors for maternal depression.
4. Become familiar with maternal depression screening tools.
5. Learn referral procedures.
6. Implement culturally-appropriate care for patients with postpartum depression.