Emotional Changes Postpartum Teaching Cards
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EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM Postpartum Blues ■ Postpartum blues, also called the baby blues, commonly occur in the first few weeks after delivery. ■ Possible causes of the baby blues include abrupt changes in hormone levels after delivery, tiredness, and feeling over- whelmed by taking on the role of a mother. ■ Women with the blues can take care of themselves and thei r baby but may experience the following signs and symptoms: ■ Feeling sad, crying ■ Feeling anxious ■ Mood swings ■ Anger ■ Trouble sle eping (either too much or not enough) ■ Trouble eat ing ■ If you experience the blues, make sure to get plenty of sleep and rest; tell your partner, friends, and family how you feel; and ask for help with caring for the baby so you can take care of yourself. ■ If symptoms of the blues do not go away within 2–4 weeks, it is important to notify your health-care provider because you could be experiencing postpartum depression, which requires treatment. EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM Postpartum Psychosis ■ Postpartum psychosis is the most serious postpartum mood disorder. ■ Personal or family history of bipolar disorder places the woman at risk for postpartum psychosis. ■ Symptoms include: ■ Mood swings ■ Feeling extremely irritated or agitated ■ Depressed mood ■ Feelings of extreme elation ■ Feeling confused ■ Feeling upset over not being able to enjoy your infant ■ Strange thoughts about the baby (e.g., thoughts about hurting the baby) ■ Disorganized behavior ■ This is a me dical eme rgency that requ ires immediate medical evaluation and treatment. ■ Medical treatment for this problem includes: ■ Hospitalization ■ Antidepressa nt or antipsychotic medications ■ Psychotherapy If you have concerns about your moods or feelings in the time after your baby is born, contact your health-care provider. EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM Postpartum Depression ■ Postpartum depression is severe depression that occurs with- in 6–12 months after birth. Symptoms of postpartum depres- sion are disabling and interfere with a woman’s ability to take care of herself, her baby, and her family. Other symptoms include: ■ Uncontrolled crying ■ Sleep problems ■ Appetite disturbances ■ Feelings of over whelming sadness ■ Anxiety, panic, fear ■ Feelings of inadequac y, worthlessness, guilt ■ Loss of concentration ■ Inability to care for self and/or infant ■ Decreased responsiveness or affectionate contact with infant ■ Thoughts of harming infant ■ Suicidal thoughts ■ Postpartum depression is a serious medical problem that requires treatment. Treatment often includes: ■ Antidepressa nt medications ■ Psychotherapy or cognitive therapy F.A. Davis Company © 2014 F.A. Davis Company © 2014 F.A. Davis Company © 2014
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emotional changes
Transcript of Emotional Changes Postpartum Teaching Cards
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EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM
Postpartum Blues Postpartum blues, also called the baby blues, commonly
occur in the first few weeks after delivery. Possible causes of the baby blues include abrupt changes in
hormone levels after delivery, tiredness, and feeling over-whelmed by taking on the role of a mother.
Women with the blues can take care of themselves and theirbaby but may experience the following signs and symptoms: Feeling sad, crying Feeling anxious Mood swings Anger Trouble sleeping (either too much or not enough) Trouble eating
If you experience the blues, make sure to get plenty of sleepand rest; tell your partner, friends, and family how you feel;and ask for help with caring for the baby so you can take careof yourself.
If symptoms of the blues do not go away within 24 weeks,it is important to notify your health-care provider becauseyou could be experiencing postpartum depression, whichrequires treatment.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM
Postpartum Psychosis Postpartum psychosis is the most serious postpartum mood
disorder. Personal or family history of bipolar disorder places the
woman at risk for postpartum psychosis. Symptoms include:
Mood swings Feeling extremely irritated or agitated Depressed mood Feelings of extreme elation Feeling confused Feeling upset over not being able to enjoy your infant Strange thoughts about the baby (e.g., thoughts about
hurting the baby) Disorganized behavior
This is a medical emergency that requires immediate medicalevaluation and treatment.
Medical treatment for this problem includes: Hospitalization Antidepressant or antipsychotic medications Psychotherapy
If you have concerns about your moods or feelings in thetime after your baby is born, contact your health-care provider.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POSTPARTUM
Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression is severe depression that occurs with-
in 612 months after birth. Symptoms of postpartum depres-sion are disabling and interfere with a womans ability to takecare of herself, her baby, and her family. Other symptomsinclude: Uncontrolled crying Sleep problems Appetite disturbances Feelings of overwhelming sadness Anxiety, panic, fear Feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, guilt Loss of concentration Inability to care for self and/or infant Decreased responsiveness or affectionate contact with infant Thoughts of harming infant Suicidal thoughts
Postpartum depression is a serious medical problem thatrequires treatment. Treatment often includes: Antidepressant medications Psychotherapy or cognitive therapy
F.A. Davis Company 2014
F.A. Davis Company 2014
F.A. Davis Company 2014
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