Hormonal changes with a rapid

decline in estrogen and

progesterone levels
Postpartum physical discomfort
and/or pain
Individual socioeconomic factors
Postpartum Support International:
postpartum.net
1-800-PPD-MOMS
Postpartum

Decreased social support system

Anxiety about assuming a new
role as a mother
Unplanned or unwanted
pregnancy

Mood Disorders

Blues

Postpartum blues can occur in

approximately 50-70 percent of women
during the first few days after birth and
generally continues for up to 10 days
(Sommer, S., Johnson, J., Roberts, K.,
Redding, S. R., Churchhill, L., 2013).

Signs and
Symptoms

Motherrisk.com
Types of Mood
Womensmentalhealth.org
Disorders
Postpartum

Depression

Postpartum depression occurs within 6

months of delivery and is characterized
by persistent feelings of sadness and
intense mood swings. It occurs in 10-15
percent of new mothers and usually does
not resolve without intervention

Risk Factors

Signs and
Symptoms

History of previous depress

episode
Low self-esteem
History of domestic violenc

Postpartum
Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis develops within

the first 2-3 weeks of the postpartum
period. Clients who have a history of
bipolar disorder are at a higher risk. The
client may attempt to HARM herself or
the client (Sommer, S., Johnson, J.,
Roberts, K., Redding, S. R., Churchhill, L.,
2013).

Signs and
Symptoms

Feelings of guilt and inadequacies,

Feelings of pronounced sadness,
irritability, anxiety, fatigue persisting
disorientation, confusion, paranoia,
beyond a reasonable amount of time,
hallucinations, delusions, obsessive
feeling of loss, lack of appetite,
behaviors, paranoia, restlessness,
persistent feelings of sadness, intense
indecisiveness, and impaired memory
mood
swings
and
sleep
pattern
(Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2008).
Cognitive behavior therapy,
disturbances
Williams,
Interpersonal (Lippincott,
psychotherapy,
Non- &
Same for postpartum
depression, also
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment
directive counseling, Psychodynamic
including,
antipsychotic
drugs, and
Postpartum
If you
blues
notice
typically
any changes
resolvesin
inyour behavior
havetherapy,
any feeling
similar
these signs
and symptoms
therapy, or
Group
Social
and to any of
possible
hospitalization
(Lowdermilk.
10 days without
contact intervention
your health care professional
immediately.
Schedule
and attend
appointments with
family
support,
and
Drug
therapy
suchall follow-up
Other
Resources
What
can
That
I
Can
D.,
Perry.
S., & Cashion, K., 2014).
(Lowdermilk.
yourD.,
health
Perry.
care
S., provider.
& Cashion,
as antidepressants (Lowdermilk. D.,
Feelings of sadness, lack of appetite,
sleep pattern disturbances, feelings of
inadequacies, and intense mood
swings (Lowdermilk. D., Perry. S., &
Cashion, K., 2014)