Postpartum Depression And Its Relation To Social Support And Marital Satisfaction

@#Objectives: The postpartum period is considered a time when mothers, living in stressful situations, are at higher risk of developing mental health issues. This could have long term health and well-being implications, in particular for women who experience postpartum depression who are more likely to develop depression later on in life. Aim: To assess the prevalence of postpartum depression following child birth and its relationship with social support and marital satisfaction. Study participants: A convenience sample of 185 postpartum women at approximately 10 weeks post-delivery was recruited to the study. The study was conducted at four Maternal and Child Health Centres, in KSA Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was used and data was collected on demographics, education level, parity, marital and estimates of experiencing depression symptoms using the Beck’s Inventory scale Results: The research findings comprised of varied qualitative and quantitative outcomes in relation to socio-demographics and mental health history. Conclusion: A significant proportion of mothers, in the early childbirth period, experience PPD and this are correlated with lower levels of social support and marital relation satisfaction. Nurse interventions could target these issues to help prevent mothers in the early childbirth period from experiencing episodes of depression.

Does cesarean section have an impact on the successful initiation of breastfeeding in Saudi Arabia?

To investigate whether the type of birth influenced breastfeeding outcomes. This study used a quantitative descriptive correlation design study in a sample of 60 primigravida mothers. Participants were recruited over a 2-month period from June to July 2011 in the postnatal ward at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital [KAUH] in Jeddah city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. The results of the study indicated that women who gave birth vaginally were more likely to breastfeed within the first hour, and at 24 hours after birth than those who had a cesarean section. The mothers who had cesarean section stated that pain interfered with their ability to hold, breastfeed, and care for their baby. Healthy term babies at KAUH are routinely separated from their mothers, and given infant formula supplementation. The findings in this study reinforce the importance of appropriate pain management, keeping well babies with their mothers to remain together, 24 hours a day, and avoidance of non-medically indicated formula supplementation