Pregnan

In recent years, research for Postpartum Depression (PPD), also known as Postnatal Depression, has been steadily increasing. The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health is among various organizations that study the predictors, treatments, and preventative measures in the fight against postpartum. Notable systems used to diagnose PPD include the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Predictive Index of Postnatal Depression. With these screening methods, prospective patients are given a series of questions and asked to answer if the question applies to them and to what degree. After their initial assessment, doctors can then move onto the best treatment plan for that patient. One course of action for the prevention of severe postpartum is prescription medication. One study measured the effect of an antidepressant on a group of women with a history of postpartum. Dr. Katherine Wisner and colleagues found, “a beneficial effect of prophylactic treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.” (Nonacs, 2015). This study supported the idea that prescription medication can be beneficial in reducing and preventing postpartum symptoms. In another effort to prevent postpartum, patients may be prescribed a non-pharmacological approach.

Some patients may be asked to use PREPP, Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting that helps them to better understand their infants behavior and how to appropriately respond. The PREPP intervention uses, “research-derived infant behavioral techniques with the goal of reducing infant fussing and crying behaviors and promoting sleep.” (Nonacs, 2015). Research showed that women using the PREPP intervention showed significant decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms, and strengthened their relationship with their babies. This more psychological and behavioral approach to postpartum depression clearly provided an example of how postpartum depression can be prevented or effectively reduced.

Pregnancy is one the most vulnerable experiences in a person's life. With pregnancy comes changes in emotional, physical, and mental states. There can be many positive effects of pregnancy besides welcoming new life, but also negative effects that might prove more impactful than the good. Pregnancy healthcare has not always been a priority in the world, but that has to shift. People deserve to have a positive experience with childbirth. The world must continue to increase the support and resources for all stages of pregnancy, pre, during, and post.

Johnson, T. C. (2020, August 30). How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Postpartum Depression. Medications and Treatment Overview. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/understanding-postpartum-depression-treatment.

Nonacs, R. (2015, August 10). Interventions for the Prevention of Postpartum Depression. MGH Center for Women's Mental Health. https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/interventions-for-the-prevention-of-postpartum-depression/.