Postpartum Psychosis is an ailment experienced after the childbirth by women. In many views, the disease is characterized by mental illness that makes the mother have cynical and defeatist attitude towards the newborn baby. Such approaches are characterized by negative feelings about the fortunes of the baby that can lead to the woman contemplating taking away their lives or that of the child. There have been numerous cases of postpartum psychosis witnessed in several parts of the world and reports indicate that likelihood of infanticide stands at 4% among women, and it is considered to be that other conditions can increase the chances of it occurring. Many children have been lost as a result, and thus, there is the need for every health practitioner to understand the existence of such condition.
There is an unusual feeling of agitation by mothers with the condition and thus is likely execute the undesired. In several cases of postpartum psychosis, women tend to avoid their children for fear of being associated with misfortunes thus can easily be abandoned or their lives taken. Such feelings are thus considered to create an alarm for an emergency within the health facility. Certain psychological and biological factors are some of the undetermined causes of the disorder that affects the mood of the mother coupled with bizarre feelings about the infant. It is also associated with postpartum depression. The development of postpartum psychosis often occurs within the first two weeks of childbirth. During this period, the mother might develop a bizarre attitude towards the infant. In several, the mother is likely to develop the superstitious feeling about the baby as well as associate the baby with bad luck. Such feelings can directly impact the attitude of the mother towards the child. The manifestation of postpartum psychosis has also been witnessed during the first two to three days after delivery. Such women undergo differential diagnosis in the form of bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and other forms of psychotic disorders. During diagnosis, women with postpartum psychosis have been found to exhibit symptoms of substance abuse as well as depression disorders.
Significance for Nursing
It is important that nurses understand postpartum psychosis due to the dangers it poses to the patient safety. It is the responsibility of the nursing practitioner to ensure that every patient is not at risk. Risks to patients can be induced through destructive behavior by the patient or the negligence by the practitioner. It is thus important for nurses to understand the symptomatic manifestation of the condition to help protect the patient and the newborn. Understanding the situation will help the nurse also to know the appropriate diagnosis to give the patient in an event of any PP sign. When the appropriate diagnosis is applied in time, the life of the mother and the child remain safe. Patient safety is always the goal of nursing and thus, must be provided at all costs.
Also, understanding the early signs of PP will help the nurses to take timely action to help the patient and the baby. It is paramount that the manifestation of the condition is responded to as an emergency. Therefore, it is important for nurses to act in time and appropriately to help save the lives of the woman and child. It will thus enable the nurses to monitor vital signs for the condition and detect abnormalities in the patient. Therefore, it helps define the type of education the patient is to be offered on the condition. Also, offer the patient the patient psychiatric education during the pregnancy to help stabilize their psychology.
The understanding the situation is also critical in knowing the risk factors associated with the disease and the pregnant women thus enable the provision of right advice as pertains to PP.
Findings analysis
According to the article, the author denotes that women with untreated postpartum psychosis stand a high chance of risk which is at 4%. Postpartum psychosis often occurs 0.1- 0.2% of the total deliveries in women. When the findings are compared with postpartum depression, it is important to highlight that the rate of infanticide occurring thus stands at 25-57%. However, postpartum depression normally affects women after delivery at a rate of 10-15%. Also, women that exhibit bipolar disorder or have a standing history of postpartum psychosis have the highest risk of experiencing PP. The risk factors also include the responsibility of rearing the child, emotional depression about the pregnancy, abrupt changes in the hormonal levels, anxiety, and depression, etc. there are other added risk factors as identified in the article and also include low patient income, neonatal and perinatal complications as well as the absence of mother’s partner. The patient goals include educating the patient and promoting the emotional wellbeing of the patient. The goal is also to reduce the chances of complications. The interventions for the condition include active listening as a control for psychosocial behavior, being with the patient is also an intervention for the condition. The nurse must also examine the psychological state of the woman to ensure there is mental stability.
Recommendations
There is a need for proper care to be provided to the patient. The patient should always undergo psychiatric tests as well as therapy to enable them become mentally stable and boost their mental condition. Health education should also be provided to the pregnant women to ensure that they are aware of the right medical care for their pregnancy. Such training will ensure that they remain positive throughout their pregnancy and after delivery find value in their babies rather than live in dire hopelessness. However, the distinction elements of PP and PD rely on the behavioral annotations exhibited in both cases. The disease manifests in the form of irrational thinking and awkward behavior which can result in infanticide or suicide, the behavior of the patient should be monitored to ensure they are content in their pregnancy and have the appetite to care for their babies upon delivery.
References
Schub, T. (2015). Postpartum Psychosis [Abstract]. Psychopharmacology and Pregnancy. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
