Health Education Plan: Maternal and Child Health: How to Achieve An Optimum Health Necessary For the Mother

and Baby

Method of Time Allotted Method of

Objective Content Outline Instruction (min) Resources Evaluation
Discuss what is postpartum in pregnancy Discussion 10 mins will be Powerpoint Answer questions
with visual allotted to Visual related to discussed
● To know 1. What is a postpartum aids such as discuss per Materials topics, to test
prevention, early powerpoint, subtopic. A total Venue retainment of
diagnosis and  “Postpartum” means the time after childbirth. Most and video of 2 hours and information.
treatment of women get the “baby blues,” or feel sad or empty, presentations 30 minutes is
complications within a few days of giving birth. For many women, needed to
the baby blues go away in 3 to 5 days. If your baby complete this
● To provide care blues don’t go away or you feel sad, hopeless, or group
for rapid empty for longer than 2 weeks, you may have discussion (10
restoration of the postpartum depression. Feeling hopeless or empty min x 15
mother to after childbirth is not a regular or expected part of subtopic = 150
optimum health. being a mother. min)
 Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness
● To provide basic that involves the brain and affects your behavior and
health education physical health. If you have depression, then sad, flat,
to mother/family. or empty feelings don’t go away and can interfere
10 mins
with your day-to-day life. You might feel unconnected
to your baby, as if you are not the baby’s mother, or
you might not love or care for the baby. These
feelings can be mild to severe.

2. How common is postpartum depression?

 Depression is a common problem after pregnancy. One in 9
new mothers has postpartum depression.
10 mins
3. How do I know if I have postpartum depression?
 Some normal changes after pregnancy can cause symptoms
similar to those of depression. Many mothers feel
overwhelmed when a new baby comes  home. But if you have 10 mins
any of the following symptoms of depression for more than 2
weeks, call your doctor, nurse, or midwife:

 Feeling restless or moody

 Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
 Crying a lot
 Having thoughts of hurting the baby
  Having thoughts of hurting yourself
 Not having any interest in the baby, not feeling connected to
the baby, or feeling as if your baby is someone else’s baby
 Having no energy or motivation
 Eating too little or too much
 Sleeping too little or too much
 Having trouble focusing or making decisions
 Having memory problems
 Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad mother
 Losing interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
 Withdrawing from friends and family
 Having headaches, aches and pains, or stomach problems
that don’t go away

4. What is the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum

depression? 10 mins
 Many women have the baby blues in the days after childbirth.
If you have the baby blues, you may:

 Have mood swings

 Feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed
 Have crying spells
 Lose your appetite
 Have trouble sleeping

The baby blues usually go away in 3 to 5 days after they start. The
symptoms of postpartum depression last longer and are more severe.
Postpartum depression usually begins within the first month after
childbirth, but it can begin during pregnancy or for up to a year after
birth

5. What should I do if I have symptoms of postpartum

depression?
Call your doctor, nurse, midwife, or pediatrician if: 10 mins

 Your baby blues don’t go away after 2 weeks

 Symptoms of depression get more and more intense
 Symptoms of depression begin within 1 year of delivery and
last more than 2 weeks
 It is difficult to work or get things done at home
  You cannot care for yourself or your baby (e.g., eating,
sleeping, bathing)
 You have thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby

6. What can I do at home to feel better while seeing a doctor for

postpartum depression?

Here are some ways to begin feeling better or getting more rest, in 10 mins
addition to talking to a health care professional:

 Rest as much as you can. Sleep when the baby is sleeping.

 Don’t try to do too much or to do everything by yourself. Ask
your partner, family, and friends for help.
 Make time to go out, visit friends, or spend time alone with
your partner.
 Talk about your feelings with your partner, supportive family
members, and friends.
 Talk with other mothers so that you can learn from their
experiences.
 Join a support group. Ask your doctor or nurse about groups
in your area.
 Don’t make any major life changes right after giving birth.
More major life changes in addition to a new baby can cause
unneeded stress. Sometimes big changes can’t be avoided.
When that happens, try to arrange support and help in your
new situation ahead of time.

It can also help to have a partner, a friend, or another caregiver who

can help take care of the baby while you are depressed. If you are
feeling depressed during pregnancy or after having a baby, don’t
suffer alone. Tell a loved one and call your doctor right away.

7. How is postpartum depression treated?

The common types of treatment for postpartum depression are: 10 mns.

 Therapy. During therapy, you talk to a therapist, psychologist,

or social worker to learn strategies to change how depression
makes you think, feel, and act.
 Medicine. There are different types of medicines for
postpartum depression. All of them must be prescribed by
your doctor or nurse. The most common type is
 antidepressants. Antidepressants can help relieve symptoms
of depression and some can be taken while you're
breastfeeding. Antidepressants may take several weeks to
start working.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved

a medicine called brexanolone to treat postpartum depression
in adult women.6 Brexanolone is given by a doctor or nurse
through an IV for 2½ days (60 hours). Because of the risk of
side effects, this medicine can only be given in a clinic or
office while you are under the care of a doctor or nurse.
Brexanolone may not be safe to take while pregnant or
breastfeeding.

Another type of medicine called esketamine can treat

depression and is given as a nasal (nose) spray in a doctor's
office or clinic. Esketamine can hurt an unborn baby. You
should not take esketamine if you are pregnant or
breastfeeding.

 Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This can be used in

extreme cases to treat postpartum depression.

These treatments can be used alone or together. Talk with your

doctor or nurse about the benefits and risks of taking medicine to treat
depression when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Having depression can affect your baby. Getting treatment is

important for you and your baby. Taking medicines for depression or
going to therapy does not make you a bad mother or a failure. Getting
help is a sign of strength.

8. What can happen if postpartum depression is not treated?

Untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent. You

may:
10 mins
 Not have enough energy
 Have trouble focusing on the baby's needs and your own
needs
 Feel moody
 Not be able to care for your baby
 Have a higher risk of attempting suicide
Feeling like a bad mother can make depression worse. It is important
to reach out for help if you feel depressed.

Researchers believe postpartum depression in a mother can affect

her child throughout childhood, causing:7

 Delays in language development and problems learning

 Problems with mother-child bonding
 Behavior problems
 More crying or agitation
 Shorter height  and higher risk of obesity in pre-schoolers
 Problems dealing with stress and adjusting to school and
other social situations