Date of Award

Spring 5-28-2022

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Martha G. Fuller, PhD, PPCNP-BC

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder affecting mothers after childbirth. Research estimates that approximately 11%-18% of mothers in the United States and one in seven women in California suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) such as postpartum depression. Untreated postpartum depression not only costs United States billions of dollars in healthcare expenditure annually, but also leads to health complications for both mother and baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening for PPD at 1-,2-,4-, and 6- month well visits. A screening and referral program were implemented in a pediatric setting to identify mothers at risk for PPD. fifty-nine mothers were screened during a 5-month period, none were missed. Seventeen of fifty-nine screened positive for depression. Evidence shows that screening is possible in a pediatric setting.

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