Question

Olivia is a 33 year old G3 P2 who just gave birth to her 8 lb. 9 oz. baby boy by cesarean section after 15 hours of labor for failure to progress. The baby’s Apgar scores: 1 minute: 8 5 minutes: 9. The baby was admitted to the newborn nursery for evaluation and transition. Olivia was transferred to the postpartum unit, where you are the nurse and have assumed care of Olivia. You introduce yourself, orient her to her room, call light and review safety precautions. You perform your first assessment on Olivia and VS are within normal limits, fundus is firm, incision is intact, small amount of vaginal bleeding, no blood clots, lower leg edema is 1+, Foley catheter is in place and draining to gravity. Olivia appears withdrawn and asks to rest while her baby is in the nursery. Her husband and family have left to get breakfast and to rest after spending time with her and the baby while she was in recovery. Her husband plans to return after lunch. Olivia admits to you that she is disappointed that she could not have her baby vaginally after all she had done to prepare for the birth of her baby. She states “this baby was way too big.”

1. What about the initial assessment and conversation with Olivia would you want to evaluate further?
2. Explain “baby blues” and postpartum depression.
3. Does Olivia show signs of “baby blues” or postpartum depression? If yes what would concern you?
4. What interventions would you as the nurse implement if you noticed signs of “baby blues” or postpartum depression?

Answer 1

assessment

Explain to the mother that,

This kind of feelings are not so unusual, approximately 75 % of new mothers used to go through the same. No need to worry because the onset can be within the first two days and may resolve within your 10th day of post partum. I will make your relatives to be aware about your situation and we all will help you and support you to the journey of recovery.

Ask her;(to assess for baby blues)

Does your mood swings quickly from happy to sad?

Do you feel like exhausted and not interested to do eat or drink, or to care for yourself?

Do you feel irritable, overwhelmed or anxious?

Ask her;(to assess for post partum depression)

Do you cry often? Or feel like hopeless, worthless and loneliness?

Experience Anxiety or panick attacks?

You aren't bonding with yor baby?

(I am supposed to answer only one question as you haven't mentioned the question to be answered, if you need answers for all these you can post it separately, thank you)