As a nurse, it’s your job to provide new mothers with the resources they need for mental and physical health. Naturally, you must listen to everything the mother tells you and provide assistance accordingly. For example, if a mother tells you she’s afraid she’s experiencing postpartum depression, then you should take that seriously and explore the issue further.
However, intuition also plays a role in your responsibilities. Pregnancy and birth are extremely emotional and challenging experiences for most mothers, and many may feel overwhelmed after the fact. This can lead some mothers to not realize the signs of postpartum depression in themselves, leading them to not seek help.
Though it is never your job to diagnose mothers with postpartum depression, you can watch for the early signs and provide resources to help. Your awareness and kindness can make a huge difference in helping new mothers navigate the often-turbulent waters following birth.
Continued Expressions of Sadness, Guilt, and Fear
The first two weeks following giving birth are almost always fraught with overwhelming emotions. However, if you work with a mother who continuously expresses strong sadness, guilt, or fear beyond these two weeks, take note.
These emotions often result from the pressures of adapting to new parenting responsibilities or struggling with perceived inadequacy in their roles. These are normal things to feel, but persistent and intense emotional distress could indicate a deeper issue.
Low Energy
Giving birth and caring for a newborn are incredibly physically taxing, so most new mothers are naturally fatigued. That said, the persistent and debilitating exhaustion characterizing postpartum depression stands apart.
If you work with a mother who reports feeling constantly exhausted no matter how much rest she gets, pay attention. Such fatigue may interfere with daily activities and hinder the mother’s ability to engage with her newborn, potentially escalating to severe depression if not addressed promptly.
Mood Swings
Fluctuations in mood represent another critical indicator. As we mentioned, the two weeks following the birth are usually full of strong emotions. However, sudden, unexplained changes between states of happiness, irritability, and anger extending beyond this time frame may point to an underlying issue.
Observing erratic emotional responses or heightened irritability can be instrumental in identifying mothers at risk of postpartum depression.
Struggles To Bond With the Baby
A struggle to bond with the baby is perhaps one of the most critical and distressing symptoms. Mothers experiencing postpartum depression often report feeling disconnected from their newborns, struggling with the emotional attachment necessary for effective caregiving. For example, poor postpartum mental health can impact breastfeeding, making the mother disinterested in this act, which can further exacerbate postpartum depression symptoms.
Nurses should pay close attention to mothers expressing concerns about their lack of connection or hesitation in caring for their children. Through engaging and empathetic communication, nurses can encourage mothers to voice these struggles, allowing for early psychological support interventions.
As a nurse, by virtue of your profession and proximity, you can detect early signs of postpartum depression in mothers effectively. Through careful observation and understanding, you can introduce timely support measures, mitigating the impact of postpartum depression and fostering healthier outcomes for both mothers and their children.