Journal of General Practice

Postpartum Emotional Psychopathological Outcomes

Abstract

Javier Quintero, Sonia Fernandez-Rojo, Ester Chapela, Miriam Felix and Fernando Mora

Pregnancy and birth can cause emotional transformation. It is a period of adaptation for biological, emotional and psychological changes. The relation between maternity and mood disorders are well described. The most studied emotional problems related to childbirth are the maternity or baby blues, the most common, and the least severe. The interest for baby blues started in 1950's when Moloney described a syndrome. Also the Postpartum depression, is an episode of depression that occurs in women shortly after childbirth. And the puerperal psychosis that is a severe psychiatric disorder. There is little evidence to explain the pathogenesis of these conditions. These emotional outcomes, can also affect the attachment development of the newborn, and can cause repercussion in child latter life. The emotional outcomes during postpartum, should be considered and evaluated by the clinicians, as the prevalence and risk for emotional problems during this period is high. Prevention and early intervention strategies could minimize the influence of postpartum maternal and emotional distress and also infant developmental outcomes.