Presenters: Amanda Calderwood ; Britney Kerr
Authors: Amanda Calderwood, Britney Kerr, Emma DeWitt, Kristen Wheelhouse
Faculty Advisor: Francine Jensen
Institution: Utah Valley University
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is lasting feelings of sadness, anger, seclusion, worry, doubt of one’s ability to care for their baby, and other general symptoms. Hormonal changes and psychological adjustment to motherhood are the major contributors to this mood disorder. PPD is more intense than “baby blues” which is a mood lability that generally resolves with self-care; according to a study done by English et al., 10% of pregnant women and 13% of postnatal women are affected by PPD. Current care recommendations for postpartum patients include medication for depression, talk therapy, and other referrals by a primary-care physician. However, other treatments that focus on prevention may prove more effective. For instance, when cognitive behavioral therapy was included with general postpartum care as a preventative measure for PPD, the rate of mothers experiencing this significant mood disorder greatly decreased. This suggests that the current level of postpartum care can be improved upon. One does not need to wait for mothers to start suffering before they receive added care; if healthcare professionals change what is done for mothers from the start of pregnancy, the postpartum experience of many women will likely reflect better overall mental health and more satisfaction with postpartum care. The purpose of this research is to explore the experiences of women during the postpartum period, assess interventions they received, and consider interventions that may be helpful, from their perspectives. There is more that healthcare personnel and systems can do. A more fortified approach to perinatal care may improve the prevalence of PPD in America.The predicted outcome of this study is that the perinatal care that mothersreceive,affectstheir mental health postpartum.