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Early postpartum discharge: maternal depression, breastfeeding habits and different follow‐up strategies
Author(s) -
Verpe Hege,
Kjellevold Marian,
Moe Vibeke,
Smith Lars,
Vannebo Unni T.,
Stormark Kjell Morten,
Søvik Margaret Ljosnes,
Skotheim Siv
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/scs.12604
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , postpartum depression , edinburgh postnatal depression scale , depression (economics) , postpartum period , postnatal care , pregnancy , family medicine , nursing , pediatrics , depressive symptoms , psychiatry , anxiety , genetics , macroeconomics , economics , biology
Background In most maternity wards in Norway, early discharge (<48 hour) is the norm. To monitor newborns’ and women's health during the first week after delivery, most maternity wards offer early check‐ups, where families return to the hospital (standard care). However, a few municipalities offer home visits by midwives (domiciliary care) to ensure seamless services for the family. Aim The primary aim of this study was to explore whether different follow‐up strategies were differently associated with maternal depression and breastfeeding habits, 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. The secondary aim was to investigate whether families at risk of postpartum depression were included in the home visiting programme in the municipality that offered both follow‐up strategies. Method This study draws on data from the ‘Little in Norway’ ( LIN ) study, which followed families from pregnancy until the child was 18 months. This study used data from two different well‐baby clinics in two municipalities, where one offered standard care (n = 95) and the other domiciliary (n = 64) and standard care (n = 17). The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale ( EPDS ) was used to measure maternal depression. Breastfeeding habits were measured using a self‐report questionnaire. The Life Stress subscale of the Parenting Stress Index ( PSI ) was used to identify women at risk of postpartum depression. Results There were no differences in maternal depressive symptoms or breastfeeding habits at neither 6 weeks nor 6 months postpartum between women who received standard or domiciliary care in the two municipalities. Within the municipality that offered both follow‐up strategies, a higher number of women scoring high on prenatal life stress were included in domiciliary – compared to standard care. Conclusion Differential follow‐up strategies in the first week after birth did not impact on maternal depression or breastfeeding habits. However, domiciliary care seems to be regarded as supportive and nonstigmatising for women at risk of postpartum depression.