Nursing implication on perinatal depression

Perinatal depression is a moderate to severe form of depression which develops during pregnancy and / or within the first year of childbirth. The onset of depression is influenced by various modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors. Contributing factors may include hormonal changes and feelings of being overwhelmed by childcare responsibilities. Fear of being unable to cope, a low socioeconomic background, and fatigue from frequent sleep disturbances also play a role. Help-seeking behavior depends on the woman’s self-awareness of being unwell. It is influenced by family members’ perceptions of her emotional decline. Beliefs about the illness’s causes, contributing behaviors, and treatment options further impact her behavior. By applying the nursing process, the nurse can identify, intervene, and modify risk factors, thereby preventing or mitigating the severity of perinatal depression and enhancing the well-being of the perinatal woman, her baby, and her family.