General view of issues of post-natal depression from the point of view of a gynaecologist-obstetrician

Overview

Objective:
To bring attention of health experts to the importance and gravity of psychic disorders post partum, to encourage their psychoprophylactic approach and behaviour towards pregnant, parturient and post-partum women, and to make post-partum depression screening a standard component of exams performed in the doctor’s surgery and in the hospital ward.

Type of study:
Theoretical and research questionnaire study.

Patient group and method:
200 women on the 3rd to 12th day post-partum and 50 women after childbed fi lled out a questionnaire made of questions concerning general data such as age, training, as well as their current mental condition and the women’s knowledge of post-partum depression. The research took place in Svitavy city hospital and in Pardubice regional hospital and lasted from February 2006 to January 2007.

Results:
We recorded a 100 % rate of questionnaire return thanks to effective communication with the women enrolled in the survey. The evaluation of the set of respondents was based on the screening questionnaire and general information showing their family background and current situation. The questionnaire survey showed that an average of 22 % of women (of which 12 % in Svitavy city hospital and 32 % in Pardubice regional hospital) needed further examination, preferably by a psychiatrist.

Conclusion:
The study brings attention to alarming results with respect to the above condition which is very often neglected or considered normal in the context of post-partum endocrine changes. Post-partum depression may result in a change in the overall health status, in psychological disorders or even suicide resulting from failure to recognise symptoms rather than from failure to use the correct therapy.

Key words:
post-partum depression – childbed – psychical defect – screening