post partum depression

Question 1

What is postnatal depression?

Answer 1

Low mood in the postnatal period

Question 2

What types of low mood are there?

Answer 2

Baby blues → seen in majority of women in the first week or so after birth
Postnatal depression → seen in 1/10 women, starts within a month, with a peak around 3 months after birth
Puerperal psychosis → seen in about 1/1000 women, starting a few weeks after birth

Question 3

What are symptoms of baby blues?

Answer 3

Mood swings
Low mood
Anxiety
Irritability
Tearfulness

Question 4

What causes baby blues?

Answer 4

Significant hormonal changes
Recovery from birth
Fatigue & sleep deprivation
Responsibility of caring for the neonate
Establishing feeding
All other changes & events around this time

Question 5

What is the treatment for baby blues?

Answer 5

Usually resolves within 2 weeks of delivery - don’t need treatment

Question 6

How does postnatal depression present?

Answer 6

Low mood
Anhedonia
Low energy

Question 7

How is postnatal depression treated?

Answer 7

Mild cases → additional support, self help & follow up with their GP
Moderate cases → SSRIs & CBT
Severe cases → input from specialist psychiatry services

Question 8

What is the screening tool for postnatal depression?

Answer 8

the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale
10 or more = postnatal depression

Question 9

What is the treatment for puerperal psychosis?

Answer 9

Admission to mother and baby unit
CBT
medications
Electroconvulsive therapy

Question 10

How can you prepare for postnatal depression during pregnancy?

Answer 10

Women who have existing mental health conditions are referred to perinatal mental health services for support so a plan is put in place for after delivery

Question 11

how does puerperal psychosis present?

Answer 11

• mood swings (similar to bipolar disorder)
• disordered perception eg. auditory hallucinations