Volume 12, Issue 5: Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression – more than the ‘baby blues’

It’s a bright spring day and your thoughts turn to lunch when a call comes in ’32-year-old female … husband worried about her mental state…’ On arrival you find out that the patient has recently had a baby and she appears very distressed, possible postpartum depression you think, but what next? How can you help?

CPD benefit

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a depressive illness, which affects between 10 to 15% of women having a baby. This article will help you recognise and understand the condition with information about risk factors and symptoms. It also has useful guidance on treatment and management covering the options available, what to do if the patient declines treatment and when to refer or seek specialist advice. The treatment of PPD is extremely important because not only does this impact on the woman’s quality of life, but on family life also.

Assessment Answers

To check your answers to the quiz please see the back page of the issue or, to get your CPD Certificate, complete the quiz via the ParaPass app: parapassweb.co.uk.