Perinatal Mental Health Flashcards
What is perinatal mental health?
- mental health problems that occur during pregnancy and in the 1st year after birth
Perinatal mental health is the mental health problems that occur during pregnancy and in the 1st year after birth. What % of women are affected by perinatal mental health?
1 - 1%
2 - 5-10%
3 - 10-20%
4 - >30%
3 - 10-20% of women during this period
Why is perinatal mental health important?
1 - impacts mother, new baby and rest of family
2 - large financial costs associated with it
3 - NHS is unable to support everyone
4 - mothers dont get support from fathers
1 - impacts mother, new baby and rest of family
- negative impact health and wellbeing of mother
- negative impact on health, wellbeing and development of child
- negative impact on wider family including other children
Perinatal mental health is important for the following reasons:
- negative impact health and wellbeing of mother
- negative impact on health, wellbeing and development of child
- negative impact on wider family including other children
What % of maternal deaths are associated perinatal mental health problems and generally when does this occur?
1 - 1% between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth
2 - 5-10% between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth
3 - 10-20% between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth
4 - 25% between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth
4 - 25% of maternal deaths between 6 weeks and 1 year after childbirth
- 1 in 7 of these women died by suicide
Does perinatal mental health services support just perinatally?
- no
- can begin start pre-conception as well in high risk groups (bipolar conditions)
- bipolar patients likely to relapse following birth
The development of new psychiatric illness in the perinatal period has similar rates to the general population. Is it generally the same issues that cause them?
- can be
- generally different stressors
- psychosocial stressors or stopping or changing medication due to the pregnancy
The baby blues affects up to 50% of women, but what is it?
- low mood
- mild depression
- both occur when a woman expects they should feel happy after having a baby
The baby blues is low mood and a mild depression, which occur when a woman expects to be feeling happy after having a baby. What % of women experience the baby blues?
1 - 10%
2 - 20%
3 - 35%
4 - 50%
4 - 50%
The baby blues affects up to 50% of women, which is low mood and mild depression occurring when a woman expects they should feel happy after having a baby. When is it most likely to occur and how long does it generally last for?
1 - immediately following birth, lasting 1 week resolving in 2 weeks
2 - 0-5 days following birth, lasting 5 days resolving in 2 weeks
3 - 10 days following birth, lasting 3-5 days, resolving in 2 weeks
4 - immediately following birth, lasting 4 week resolving in 2 weeks
3 - 10 days following birth, lasting 3-5 days, resolving in 2 weeks
- symptoms peak days 3-5 but resolves within 2 weeks
- no specific interventions are required
Although not definitive, what has been linked with the baby blues?
1 - risk in progesterone
2 - drop in oxytocin
3 - rise in prolactin
4 - drop in progesterone
4 - drop in progesterone
What is post-natal depression?
- women will present with similar symptoms to a depressive episode
Post-natal depression is when a women presents with similar symptoms to a depressive episode. When does this generally develop and how long does it take to peak?
1 - develops <3 months following, peaking at 3-4 weeks post delivery
2 - develops <1 week following, peaking at 3-4 weeks post delivery
3 - develops <3 weeks following, peaking at 3-4 weeks post delivery
4 - develops <6 weeks following, peaking at 3-4 weeks post delivery
1 - develops <3 months following, peaking at 3-4 weeks post delivery
Post-natal depression is when a women presents with similar symptoms to a depressive episode. This generally develops within 3 months of birth and peaks within 3-4 weeks post delivery. If this continues beyond 6 months is this still post natal depression?
- no
Post-natal depression is when a women presents with similar symptoms to a depressive episode. This generally develops within 3 months of birth and peaks within 3-4 weeks post delivery. What is the incidence of postnatal depression?
1 - 12%
2 - 24%
3 - 35%
4 - 50%
1 - 12%
Post-natal depression is when a women presents with similar symptoms to a depressive episode. This generally develops within 3 months of birth and peaks within 3-4 weeks post delivery. It is associated predominantly with psychosocial than biological factors. What are 4 key risk factors that increase the risk of postnatal depression?
- lack of a close confiding relationship
- domestic violence
- low income
- young maternal age
If a woman has previous history of depression, what are they more at risk of during pregnancy?
1 - depression following birth
2 - obstetric complications during delivery
3 - obstetric complications following delivery
2 - obstetric complications during delivery
Although the symptoms of postnatal depression are similar to those of a depressive episode, they can present differently. What are the key clinical signs someone has postnatal depression?
- preoccupation with health of baby
- guilt and inadequacy regarding the health of the baby
- reduced affection for baby and difficulty bonding
- obsessions, particularly thoughts of harming baby
- true thoughts (rather than obsessions) of harming baby (infanticidal thoughts)
Some women with post-natal depression may experience thoughts about harming the baby. Are these true thoughts or are they obsessions?
- true thoughts as mother is thinking like this at the time
- not the same as obsessions
What are 4 methods we can use to manage postnatal depression through psychosocial measures for both prevention and management?
1 - mother and baby groups
2 - support from midwives and health visitors often crucial
3 - relationship counselling
4 - facilitated self-help