Investigating Postnatal Depression and “Baby Blues” in New Mothers at a Selected Maternity Hospital

By:

Swapnil Madhukar Mhaske, Dhananjay Shravan Wable, Vaishnavi Balasaheb Tupe, Nilesh Ramesh Bhalerao, Gaurav Rajaram Jaware, and Somnath Gopale

Volume: 10 | Issue: 01 | Year 2024 | Subscription
International Journal of Nursing Critical Care
Received Date: 02/21/2024
Acceptance Date: 03/17/2024
Published On: 2024-03-28
First Page: 6
Last Page: 10

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Citation:
Swapnil Madhukar Mhaske, Dhananjay Shravan Wable, Vaishnavi Balasaheb Tupe, Nilesh Ramesh Bhalerao, Gaurav Rajaram Jaware, and Somnath Gopale Investigating Postnatal Depression and “Baby Blues” in New Mothers at a Selected Maternity Hospital International Journal of Nursing Critical Care. 2024; 10(01): 6-10p.
Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is marked by significant physical and emotional transitions that can lead to feelings of anxiety and mood swings. Postpartum mood disturbances can be categorized into three levels of severity. Symptoms commonly associated with these disorders include feelings of hopelessness, sadness, nausea, alterations in sleep and appetite, reduced sexual interest, frequent crying, anxiety, irritability, a sense of isolation, emotional volatility, thoughts of self-harm or harming the infant, and even suicidal ideation. Postpartum depression may begin at any point within the first year after childbirth and can persist for a number of years. It’s reported that between 50% and 80% of new mothers experience postpartum blues, which typically arise within the initial days following birth. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at Seva Nursing College, Shrirampur, involving 100 postnatal mothers selected through purposive sampling to evaluate postpartum depression and blues following childbirth. Data collection was carried out via a semi-structured interview lasting approximately 40 minutes by a nurse researcher. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data. Result: A total of 100 mothers were included in the study. The study revealed that 51%  of the mothers under the study were 22–25 years old; 58%  of the mothers belong to nuclear families; 42%  of mothers are from rural areas; however, 35%  belong to semi-urban areas. The mean score for postpartum depression (+27.23) indicates severe depression; the mean score for postpartum blue (+5.36) indicates moderate postpartum blue. It indicates that the student under study had a severe level of postpartum blues and a moderate level of depression. Conclusion: The majority of the mothers had most of the symptoms of postpartum blue and a moderate level of postpartum depression.

Keywords: Assess, baby blue symptoms, postpartum depression, postnatal women

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Citation:

Swapnil Madhukar Mhaske, Dhananjay Shravan Wable, Vaishnavi Balasaheb Tupe, Nilesh Ramesh Bhalerao, Gaurav Rajaram Jaware, and Somnath Gopale Investigating Postnatal Depression and “Baby Blues” in New Mothers at a Selected Maternity Hospital International Journal of Nursing Critical Care. 2024; 10(01): 6-10p.

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