This article shares a conversation with Joan Robertson, a staff person at Post Partum Counselling (PPC) in Vancouver; Differentiates Baby Blues from Post Partum Depression; Discusses women and anger; Women and depression; Child abuse; Changes in relationships postpartum.
Argues that problems with existing screening tools for postpartum depression make it difficult to recommend them for routine screening. Concludes that depression screening “must be combined with systemic paths for referral of cases and well defined and implemented care plans to achieve outcome benefits.”
Examines the the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) which is widely used to screen women for postpartum depression, and concludes that it may not be an equally valid screening tool across all settings and contexts.
Offers support after the birth. Believes that there is no one right way to parent and that parental confidence increases by learning basic parenting skills and sharing concerns with others.
