Disciplines

Maternal and Child Health | Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Nursing Midwifery | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Other Mental and Social Health | Patient Safety | Preventive Medicine | Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | Public Health and Community Nursing | Trauma | Women's Health

Abstract (300 words maximum)

Background: Many times, prevention of early fetus death and stillbirths is possible; however, some mortality events are spontaneous or unavoidable. While existing research reveals the likelihood of postpartum depression for mothers following birth, few studies address the potential for postpartum depression of mothers of stillbirth or demised fetuses. The purpose of this study is to determine how mothers can be better prepared for the hardship of losing a baby during childbirth, while going through common difficulties, such as postpartum depression, following birth. Methods: A mixed method approach will be conducted to gather qualitative (interview) and quantitative (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and medical records) data from both mothers in the postpartum unit with healthy newborns and mothers in the postpartum unit who have had a stillbirth or demised fetus. Conclusion: Understanding the significance between the probability of the mothers with a demised baby versus the chance of a new mother with a healthy baby developing the diagnosis of postpartum depression will help develop care strategies that support these mothers as they navigate life with a loss of a child and reducing their chances of arising post-partum depression.

Academic department under which the project should be listed

Nursing

Primary Investigator (PI) Name

Sena Able

Additional Faculty

Dr. Christie Emerson, Nursing, cemerson@kennesaw.edu

Share

COinS
 

Postpartum Depression for Mothers with Early Fetal Death or Stillbirths

Background: Many times, prevention of early fetus death and stillbirths is possible; however, some mortality events are spontaneous or unavoidable. While existing research reveals the likelihood of postpartum depression for mothers following birth, few studies address the potential for postpartum depression of mothers of stillbirth or demised fetuses. The purpose of this study is to determine how mothers can be better prepared for the hardship of losing a baby during childbirth, while going through common difficulties, such as postpartum depression, following birth. Methods: A mixed method approach will be conducted to gather qualitative (interview) and quantitative (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and medical records) data from both mothers in the postpartum unit with healthy newborns and mothers in the postpartum unit who have had a stillbirth or demised fetus. Conclusion: Understanding the significance between the probability of the mothers with a demised baby versus the chance of a new mother with a healthy baby developing the diagnosis of postpartum depression will help develop care strategies that support these mothers as they navigate life with a loss of a child and reducing their chances of arising post-partum depression.