maternal mental health Flashcards
what are some possible reasons for maternal mental health complications
women with preexisting conditions are at risk of relapse as they may stop medication when pregnant.
pregnancy can be stressful with physical complications, anxiety, social difficulties, family violence. feel as if feelings are invalid as people tell you how wonderful it is to be pregnant.
also a chance that a mother with mental disorder may use substances which affect the baby
whats the baby blues
from around 3-5th day of being mother, a few hours on a few days. it is feelings of exhaustion, overwhelemed and irritable. this is transient. usually resolves with eating well and good nutrition.
whats Post partum depression
first of all dont normalise this as baby blues.
depression that occurs within four weeks of birth.
sufferes feel depressed, isolated and maybe ashamed as they feel they should be jovial at this point.
PPD risk factors
previous history of PPD or depression. discontinuation of medication by a person with depression. negative outlook on the pregnancy, lack of social support, losing a baby previously, pregnancy complications at birth.
detection of PPD
screen all women who have had a baby. consult with patient and family asking them of their feelings toward the baby and how the mother is coping. how are they coping with being pregnant and is it going well. normalise PPD
impacts of untreated PPD
affects mothers interactions with baby as mother is less affectionate, less responsive to the baby, mother shows less emotion - impacting the babies emotion
effects childhood development, increased behaviour problems, poorer education outcomes, diminished social competence
whats post partum psychosis and symptoms
similar presentations to normal psychosis.psychotic episodes experienced by new mothers. extreme agitiation, paranoia, confusion, disorientation, cant eat or sleep, delusions, hallucinations, losing touch with reality.
risk factors of medication and that on baby
mood stabilisers used to treat bipolar can have teratogenic effects. antidepressants may also. maternal depression can have adverse affects on infant developmentally. but we want to treat the mothers
