Why do we need Postpartum Education?
Postpartum depression is the most common complication in the childbearing year, impacting up to one in five birthing parents (Werner, Miller, Osborne, Kuzava, & Monk, 2015). Despite a growing body of research on the etiology and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression, rates have remained elevated over time (Adams, 2016; Werner, Miller, Osborne, Kuzava, & Monk, 2015). Thirty years of research has established that the difference between an individual’s expectations and experience can have a significant impact on their quality of life, particularly regarding health outcomes (Calman, 1984; Kube, Glombiewski, & Rief, 2018). A small but compelling body of evidence suggests that unrealistic expectations of early parenting may be a under-researched risk factor for depression, particularly for first time parents (Adams, 2016; Lazarus & Rossouw, 2015).
Several studies indicate that parent expectations and experiences of the postpartum may impact mood disorders and bonding (Lazarus & Rossouw, 2015; Milne, Johnson, Waters, & Small, 2018; Muscat, Obst, Cockshaw, & Thorpe, 2014). Met or exceeded expectations were consistently associated with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms, and unmet expectations with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms. Supporting realistic expectations of early parenthood may reduce the occurrence of PMADs due to improved synchrony between expectations and lived experience, increasing quality of life (Lazarus & Rossouz, 2015). As postpartum depression is the most common complication in the childbearing year, with persistently high rates of occurrence worldwide, further high-quality research on this subject could have significant implications for maternal and child health (Adams, 2015; Werner, Miller, Osborne, Kuzava, & Monk, 2015). ReferencesAdams, M. K. (2016). Expectations and quality of life during the antepartum and postpartum period (dissertation). Loyola University
Chicago, Chicago, United States of America. Calman, K. C. (1984). Quality of life in cancer patients--an hypothesis. Journal of medical ethics, 10(3), 124-127. Kube, T., Glombiewski, J. A., & Rief, W. (2018). Using Different Expectation Mechanisms to Optimize Treatment of Patients With Medical Conditions: A Systematic Review. Psychosomatic medicine, 80(6), 535-543. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000596 Lazarus, K., & Rossouw, P. J. (2015). Mother’s expectations of parenthood: the impact of prenatal expectations on self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and stress post birth. Int J Neuropsychotherapy, 3(2), 102-23. doi: 10.12744/ijnpt.2015.0102-0123 Milne, E., Johnson, S., Waters, G., & Small, N. (2018) The mother-infant bond: A systematic review of research that includes mothers’ subjective experience of the relationship. Community Practitioner. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/a0028240 Muscat, T., Obst, P., Cockshaw, W., & Thorpe, K. (2014) Beliefs about infant regulation, early infant behaviors and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms. Birth, 41(2), pp. 206-213. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12107 Werner, E., Miller, M., Osborne, L. M., Kuzava, S., & Monk, C. (2015). Preventing postpartum depression: review and recommendations. Archives of women's mental health, 18(1), 41-60. doi: 10.1007/s00737-014-0475-y |