Nursing Care Plan Postpartum Depression

Nursing Diagnosis

Expected Outcome Risk for Ineffective After Coping Related to implementation Depression in of nursing care, response to stressors client will associated with verbalize feelings childbirth and with the parenting significant other and health care provider throughout the postpartum period

Nursing Implementation

Rationale

1. Active-listen and identify client’s perceptions of current situation.

1. To assess client’s coping abilities and evaluate her ability to understand present situation.

2. Encourage significant other (SO) to spend time with the client.

2. One of the best strategy to help mothers decrease their well-being during the postpartum period is conveying a caring attitude. This is demonstrated by the SO spending quality time with her. 3. Frequent contact with other adults (SO or close friend) keeps away feelings of isolation.

3. Emphasize the need for continued communication with the partner or a close friend who is available to provide support when loneliness or anxiety becomes a problem. 4. Encourage verbalization of fears and anxieties and expressions of feelings depression. 5. Discuss the realities of parenting and the fact that it may be exhausting. It may be helpful to rehearse some of the situations that may occur such as a fussy baby or being home alone. 6. Point out infant cues and explain their meaning. Suggest measures that may enhance her sensitivity to infant cues. 7. Include the spouse in discussions about the woman’s condition. Offer practical ways the spouse can help the new mother manage the changes in their lives. 8. Emphasize the importance of the mother taking the medication as ordered. 9. Assist the mother and her partner in identifying people who are available to provide support.

4. Allowing the client to vent out negative feelings helps meet the new mother’s psychological needs. It is important to recommend to her though, to acknowledge these ‘negative feelings.’ 5. This is a good way to help the woman develop perspective and accept her new role as a mother.

6. Model behavior to show the mother how to respond to the infant’s cues can help her be more sensitive to her infant’s needs. This helps her feel better about herself and her ability to care for the infant. 7. The way the spouse responds and handles the situation can affect the woman positively or negatively.

8. Antidepressants are often used for PPD and may be continued for 6 months or more. 9. Depression responds best to a combination of psychotherapy, social support and medication. It is important to identify other support people (apart from the spouse) to serve as the woman’s social support.