Análise multifatorial da depressão pós-parto: compreender para ajudar.

Abstract

The puerperium is a period marked by sudden gonadal hormones, hypothalamo-pituitaryadrenal axis changes and oxytocin levels. The transition to maternity is marked by psychological and social changes that, from the perspective of existing cultural standards, imposes a restructuring of the sexuality, body image and female identity. The present study aims to interpret the intricate etiology from puerperal depression within its multiple factors, in the face of the contrast between the high rate of occurrence inferred in the literature and underestimation from this reality inside medical practice, what justifies the number of underdiagnosed cases. Therefore, questionnaires based on Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale were applied, whose case by case presentation led to an enormous probability to develop post-natal depression, which emphasizes the relevance of this study. By virtue of the consonance between the theoretical description and this data collection instrument, the intention is to warn the scientific community about the need to address the susceptible people with a multidisciplinary approach and establish prophylactic measures in public health, what also enables early diagnosis and treatment, in order to ensure the healthy conditions to the mother-baby binomial and save it from drastic outcomes.