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November 6, 2008
New initiative brings postpartum depression education throughout Upper Peninsula
A recent grant is allowing the Upper Peninsula Maternal Emotional Support Program, in conjunction with the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation and Marquette General Health System, to provide postpartum depression risk assessment, education and outreach to new mothers across the Upper Peninsula.
Through the Helping Hands Grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation, UPHEC recently purchased educational books on postpartum depression and provided them to OB Nurse Managers from the eight delivering hospitals in the Upper Peninsula.
Through the Helping Hands Grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation, The Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation recently purchased educational books on postpartum depression and provided them to OB Nurse Managers from the eight delivering hospitals in the Upper Peninsula. Pictured from left: Jodi Lindberg, UPHEC representative; Donna Wheaton, Bell Memorial Hospital; Cheryl Frankovich, Portage Health; Julie Harris, Aspirus Keweenaw Memorial; Louise Kauppinen, Aspirus Keweenaw Memorial; Kathy Perry, War Memorial Hospital; Karen Balyeat, Grandview Health System; Mary Zimmerman, St. Francis Hospital; and Cindy Ampe, Marquette General Health System.
Postpartum depression is a form of severe depression that occurs within a few days to a few months after childbirth. A woman with PPD may have feelings similar to the baby blues- sadness, despair, anxiety, and irritability- but feels them much more strongly. While PPD is a serious condition, it can be effectively treated with medications and counseling.
“By distributing educational books UP-wide, we’re able to provide new mothers improved access to support and treatment options for postpartum depression,” said Jody Lindberg, UPHEC representative. “In addition, the Marquette General Family Birthing Center along with UPMESP, is now assessing new mothers for postpartum depression.”
This assessment for new mothers takes place within the first 24 hours after giving birth. The questions on the assessment indicate differing levels of risk for developing PPD, as well as assessing for immediate risk by asking about the mother’s current emotional health and thoughts of suicide or infanticide.
“After the mothers are assessed, a social worker or registered nurse will meet with the mothers who are found to be at a low to moderate risk for developing postpartum depression,” said Cindy Ampe, Marquette General OB clinical director. “They review the signs and symptoms of PPD with the mothers, and provide them with a program brochure and an educational video.”
Mothers that score a high to immediate risk are addressed in the same manner, but are also given medication overviews and suggestions, additional screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a possible psychiatric evaluation. The mothers will receive a phone call at two weeks and six weeks postpartum by Parent Partners from the Marquette General Women’s and Children’s Center. At every step of this process, mothers are offered counseling and therapy referrals though the UP Postpartum Emotional Support Provider Network.
For information about this initiative, please visit www.upmesp.org.
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