ABSTRACT

Depression in New Mothers, Volume 1: Causes, Consequences, and Risk Factors provides a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding symptoms and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in perinatal women, which are common complications of childbirth.

To effectively intervene, health professionals must be aware of these conditions and ready to identify them in mothers they see. Written by a psychologist and International Board–Certified Lactation Consultant, this fourth edition is expanded into two complementary volumes: the first focuses on causes and consequences of poor perinatal mental health, and the second, on screening and treatment. This volume integrates recent research on:

  • Feeding methods and sleep location for mother–infant sleep
  • Traumatic birth experiences
  • Infant temperament, illness, and prematurity
  • Violence, discrimination, and adversity
  • The dysphoric milk-ejection reflex (D-MER)
  • COVID-19, military sexual trauma, immigration/refugee status, and the impact of war, displacement, and terrorist attacks

Depression in New Mothers, Volume 1 includes mothers’ stories throughout, which provide examples of principles described in studies. Each chapter highlights key research findings and clinical takeaways. It is an essential resource for all healthcare practitioners working with mothers in the perinatal period, including nurses, midwives, doctors, lactation consultants, and psychologists.

section Section I|33 pages

Symptoms, Incidence, and Consequences

section Section II|20 pages

Underlying Mechanisms

chapter 5|6 pages

Inflammation

The Underlying Mechanism for Postpartum Mental Illness

chapter 6|12 pages

Breastfeeding

Nature's Method to Protect Mothers' Mental Health

section Section III|13 pages

Physiological Risk Factors

section Section IV|15 pages

Psychological Risk Factors

section Section V|21 pages

Birth-Related Risk Factors

section Section VI|20 pages

Social Risk Factors

chapter 14|6 pages

Pandemic, Disasters, and Immigration

chapter 16|8 pages

Social Support

section Section VII|19 pages

Infant Characteristics

chapter 17|6 pages

Infant Crying, Temperament, and Sleep

chapter |2 pages

Epilogue

Some Final Thoughts