A first-time parent of a 6-week-old infant tells the nurse that she feels anxious and sad, cries a lot, and has difficulty sleeping. What will the nurse do?
a. Ask her to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
b. Reassure her that the "baby blues" are normal after childbirth.
c. Suggest that she get more sleep and try to increase her activity.
d. Suggest that she talk to her provider about using an SSRI.
ANS: A
Women who experience depressive symptoms after childbirth can be screened using a quick test: the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, which may be administered 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. Reassuring her that her feelings are normal does not acknowledge her concerns; also, without objective screening, this reassurance may not be warranted. Increased sleep and activity may help, but screening is necessary to determine the severity of the depression. Until the patient is diagnosed as having postpartum depression, an SSRI is not indicated.
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