A topical approach to life span development, 6e chapter 3

The Postpartum Period Chapter Postpartum Period • Period after childbirth or delivery • About weeks • Or until mothers body has completed its adjustment and returned to a nearly prepregnant state • Adjustments are physical, emotional and psychological Physical Adjustments • • Fatigue • Can undermine ones sense of well being • And confidence to cope with a new baby and a new family life Loss of sleep • • • Contributes to stress, marital conflict, and impaired decision making Poor quality of sleep • Disrupted, fragmented sleep • Linked to postpartum depression Hormone production drops Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Several weeks to long term emotional swings • Postpartum blues • 70% of new mothers in US • 2-3 days after birth, they feel depressed, anxious, and upset • May come and go for several months • Usually go away after one or two weeks Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Postpartum depression • Major depressive episode • Typically weeks after delivery • Strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair • At least weeks trouble coping with their daily tasks • Without treatment, can become worse and last for many months • 10-14% of new mothers experience • Often not seek help Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Postpartum depression risk factors • History of depression • depression and anxiety during pregnancy • Neuroticism - negative state of fear, anxiety, worry, frustration • Loss self-esteem • Postpartum blues • Poor marital relationship, low levels of social support Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Postpartum depression risk factors • Perinatal complications • Infant health and temperament • Type of delivery • Humoral changes • History of physical abuse • Migrant status • Postpartum physical complications Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Treatment • Antidepressant drugs • Psychotherapy, especially cognitive therapy • Regular exercise Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Other concerns of postpartum depression • Interaction with baby difficulties • Care giving activities (feeding, sleep routines, safety practices) • Fathers may experience depression, jealousy • Study: higher support by fathers was related to a lower incidence of depression in women Bonding • The formation of a physical connection between parents and baby Early on after birth • Research is mixed • Seems to be more beneficial/needed for mother than for baby • May help with improved integration after leaving the hospital ... Postpartum blues • Poor marital relationship, low levels of social support Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Postpartum depression risk factors • Perinatal complications • Infant health and... temperament • Type of delivery • Humoral changes • History of physical abuse • Migrant status • Postpartum physical complications Emotional and Psychological Adjustments • Treatment • Antidepressant... emotional and psychological Physical Adjustments • • Fatigue • Can undermine ones sense of well being • And confidence to cope with a new baby and a new family life Loss of sleep • • • Contributes to