Perinatal Depression and the Breastfeeding Dyad: Exploring Your Role and Responsibilities
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 L-CERP, 1 Nurse Contact Hours, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1 Dietetic CEU
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
Perinatal depression is the most common obstetrical complication, with 1 in 7 women experiencing depression during pregnancy or postpartum. A vast array of negative outcomes are associated with untreated perinatal depression, including breastfeeding difficulties and premature weaning. In this talk, an evidence-based overview of the symptoms, outcomes, and breastfeeding challenges posed by perinatal depression is offered. The key role of the lactation consultant in screening, referring, and supporting the family confronted with perinatal depression is highlighted so that lactation professionals can incorporate into their clinical practice a model of care based on the individual needs of their clients.
From this presentation, lactation consultants can learn about the characteristics of perinatal depression, the instruments they can use for screening, the main challenges specifically associated with breastfeeding, and how they can refer to and act accordingly to their scope of practice when offering support to breastfeeding families (e.g., management of breastfeeding complications, providing evidence-based information regarding the use of antidepressants during breastfeeding, client-centered communication, and follow-up).
Learning Objectives:
1 Define the main symptoms of perinatal depression (PND) and the differences between PND and other perinatal mental health challenges.
2 List five outcomes of untreated perinatal depression and its impact on breastfeeding.
3 Explain 2 methods of screening, referring, and supporting breastfeeding families confronted with perinatal depression.
4 Describe two main treatments of perinatal depression and their impact on breastfeeding.
