Postpartum Psychiatry - Baby blues, Postnatal depression, Puerperal psychosis

Question 1

Baby blues
-presentation
-management

Answer 1

60-70% of women affected
-within 1wk of birth
-common in primips
Anxious, tearful, irritable

Reassurance and support
Health visitor plays a key role

Question 2

Postnatal depression
-presentation
-management

Answer 2

10% of women affected
-begin within 1month => peaks at 3months
Presentation similar to depression

Reassurance and support
-can add CBT
-can add sertraline/paroxetine if symptoms severe

Secreted in breast milk but not harmful to infant

Question 3

Puerperal psychosis
-presentation
-management

Answer 3

0.2% of women affected
-begins within 2-3wks
Mood swings similar to bipolar
Disordered perception - hallucination, delusions

Admit to Mother and Baby unit