Vulnerable Populations Flashcards
Post-Natal Depression
Contributing Factors (11)
- Fertility issues and prior miscarriage
- Pregnancy complications
- Traumatic birth and birth disappointment
- Role adaption and identity shift
- Relationship stress and changes
- Career changes
- Financial difficulties
- History of anxiety and depression
- Family violence
- History of abuse and trauma
- Limited social support
Post-Natal Depression
Signs/Symptoms
- Changes in mood - panic attacks, worry/fear, sadness, hopelessness, mood swings, shame/guilt.
- Changes in cognition - poor focus, concentration, memory, racing or intrusive thoughts, suicidal/self-harm ideation.
- Changes in behaviour - poor energy/fatigue, appetite changes, poor sleep, decreased libido, risk-taking, self-harm, compulsive behaviours.
- Changes to relationships - social withdrawal, arguments/tension, decreased interest in daily activities.
Post-Natal Depression
Practice
- Early screening and detection of perinatal mental health challenges
- Build trust/rapport and respond with empathy
- Address barriers to disclosure
- Involve partner/support person
- Link to resources and services - e.g. counselling, mothers groups.
- Provide crisis care/helpline contacts - e.g. Lifeline, PANDA.
- Monitor risk to mother and infant
Women with Disability
Care Considerations
- Ask about the disability
- Support confidence in becoming a mother
- Establish best method of communication and providing information
- Discuss NDIS support
- Formulate a birth plan
- Involve multiple support people
- Involve MDT - psychologist, social worker, GP, OT/physio, support worker.
Women with Disability
Communication
Women with Disability
Birth Plan
- Setting
- Delivery method
- People present
- Analgesia
Women with Disability
NDIS services
- Group or individual parenting and child development courses/sessions
- Practical in-home support with child care activities
- Practical support for children’s learning
- Counselling
- Family planning
- Foster, shared or respite care
Women with Disability
Challenges in Parenting
- Employment and income difficulties
- Mental and physical health problems
- Lack of family or social support
- Difficulty understanding health information and advice
- Difficulty accessing parenting services and supports
- Physical limitations/restrictions
Children with Disability
ATSI Mothers
General Care (8)
- Understand woman’s context - socioeconomic, health and lifestyle factors
- Provide culturally safe care
- Take an individualised approach
- Take systems-based and family-based approaches to address social and lifestyle factors
- Provide information and support for decision-making
- Involve Aboriginal health/community workers - e.g. AMGPP
- Birthing on country
- Recognise risk factors and specific needs
- Incorporate cultural knowledge and practices
ATSI Mothers
Barriers to Care
- Health literacy
- Discrimination and cultural incompetence
- Socio-economic disadvantage
- Rural/remoteness
- Inflexibility of healthcare systems
- Lack of continuity of carer
- Incarceration
ATSI Mothers
Risks Factors
- Health conditions - CVS disease, diabetes, overweight/obesity, CKD, communicable infections, STIs.
- Lifestyle factors - diet, physical activity, alcohol, smoking.
- Family and domestic violence
- Teenage pregnancy
- Low attendence and compliance
ATSI Mothers
Pregnancy Complications
- Preterm birth
- LBW
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- FASD
- SIDS
ATSI Mothers
Individualised Approach
- Comfortable/welcoming environment
- Rapport/trust
- Continuity of carer
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Involve partner/father
- Knowledge about community
- Flexible schedule of appointments
FDV
Support and Refer
Risk of harm - local FDV, DV helplines, social/financial support services
+ written information
+ safety planning
High-risk of serious harm - police, crisis care, social admission to hospital.
Children involved - CPU (PCH), police, Department of Communities, child-at-risk alert.
Recent sexual assault - Sexual Assault Resource Centre.
Suicide risk - mental health assessment.
