Advocating for Postpartum Depression

All hospitals have their own procedures, red rules, education, and policies that they abide by, but the difference in these policies is where attention is needed involving care with post-partum patients. This study focuses on the importance of postpartum depression screenings connected to the rates of suicides. Most hospitals provide education on PPD, but some hospitals go farther than others with surveys, and counseling that they provide. Are these patients able to become more successful in not developing PPD because of this? On top of different procedures from hospitals, are there factors we can identify early before it has manifested? This is an important question in the United States because of the high rates of postpartum depression linking to suicide or even abandonment of baby and family. The purpose of this project is for all hospitals to understand the importance of this mental illness and providing the correct tools and education for the patent. Another purpose involves helping these nurses identify factors that could cause PPD, and factors that could be positive for their mental health. The evidence I found that suggested this was needed was the difference in WellStar hospital mother baby floor, and Northside Cherokee mother baby floor. At the WellStar the mothers are provided with in depth education, counseling if needed, and a postpartum depression screening. At Northside Cherokee the patients are provided with in depth education, counseling if needed, but no screening for PPD. My methods involve implementing the same policies at both hospitals involving the screenings to provide insight to the rates of PPD in both hospitals and analyzing them. Results involve data on deaths related to PPD, and how to prevent this. Also, to provide knowledge on what factors nurses can use to bring down these rates