Postpartum Depression
Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to allow nurses to detect postpartum depression using screening tools and a clinical assessment to intervene early and prevent the devastating consequences of the disorder.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Discuss the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD), including historical and transcultural perspectives.
- Identify risk factors for PPD evident prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after birth.
- Review the effects of biochemistry, such as serotonin, estrogen and progesterone, cortisol, and thyroid, on the development of PPD.
- Describe the role of family history, stressful life events, and psychosocial factors in the etiology of depression.
- List the emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms of postpartum blues.
- Discuss emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of PPD.
- Identify severe forms of postpartum disorders, focusing on postpartum psychosis and cases of infanticide.
- Review the clinical assessment of PPD, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS).
- List the effects of PPD on maternal bonding, mother-infant attachment, and a child’s socioemotional and cognitive development.
- Describe the potential long-term effects of PPD on children.
- List maternal and familial complications of PPD, including marital conflict, suicide, and homicide.
- Discuss self-care strategies for recovery, such as nourishment, sleep, rest and relaxation, exercise, and socializing.
- Review the role of education in the diagnosis of and recovery from PPD.
- Discuss the physiologic treatment of PPD with postpartum hormone treatments.
- Specify pharmacologic treatment strategies, noting benefits, adverse reactions, and risks.
- Discuss psychosocial interventions used in the treatment of PPD.
- List strategies for preventing PPD, including screening, postpartum debriefing, companionship in the delivery room, psychotherapy, midwife continuity of care, and progesterone preventive treatment.
About the Author/Presenter
Anele Runyion, RN, MS, received her diploma in nursing from Berea College School of Nursing in Berea, Kentucky. She subsequently received a Baccalaureate and master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. For twenty years she was psychiatric nurse consultant and coordinator of psychiatric nursing consultation at San Francisco General Hospital. She was Assistant Clinical Professor in Mental Health, Community and Administrative Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. As a psychiatric nurse consultant, she assisted non-psychiatric nurses in the hospital to assimilate and integrate psychological principles into their practice. Ms. Runyion has published and spoken nationally.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Counselor, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us