An Analysis of Perinatal Depression in Australia: A Health Report

This report examines perinatal depression, a significant health issue affecting new mothers in Australia. It begins with an introduction outlining the prevalence of perinatal depression, followed by a script for a video presentation discussing the condition's impact on new mothers, their newborns, and social relationships. The report then delves into an essay detailing the description of the health issue, including its symptoms such as tiredness, emotional changes, and anxiety, and discusses the various factors influencing this type of depression, like emotional disorders and media coverage. The essay emphasizes the importance of family support and treatment options, including consulting doctors and specialists. The report concludes by reiterating the commonality of perinatal depression and highlighting its causes and effects on new mothers. References to relevant books and journals are also included.

Health, Culture and
Society

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 2 (a) SCRIPT........................................................................................................................1
PART 2 (b) ESSAY.........................................................................................................................2
Description of health issue..........................................................................................................2
Discussion and synthesis of influencing factors.........................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
In this current part which would be related to major health issue that is commonly and
very frequently seen in the Australian citizens like that of bowel cancer, cervical cancer and
perinatal depression. These issues are very common in print and digital media coverage which is
related to health issues within society of Australia. So this would be covering essay on perinatal
depression which is seen in the new mothers especially during their pregnancy period. This
would also be including a script which based on video presentation on this health issue that is
very much common in Australian new mothers.
PART 2 (a) SCRIPT
Good morning everyone,
I would like to throw some light on the most recent and common disorders which most of
the new mothers would be facing. As we all know that pregnancy is the most beautiful and
happiest times in any women's life which is marked to the new phrase of life for them. But many
a times due to many reasons there could occur a time when they are facing havoc with their
hormones and creating plenty of stress. This would not only be affecting themselves, but their
new born baby and other social relationship could also be hampered including their marital life.
There was a time when this pregnancy was believed to be time which protected woman from
emotional disorder but this is certainly turning out to be a myth.
During the recent time media is also focusing on this serious but curable disorder which
only need support and love of their family and partner. It was estimated in one of the study that
about 10-20% of women in whole world are suffering from this disorder plus every 1 out of 20
women in USA or around the world would be suffering from any type of pregnancy related
mood disorder (Perinatal Depression, 2018).
At last to conclude I would like to talk about its treatment which is certainly the most
important part on this essay. So as much time they would be spending with their family and
loved ones would be good for their and the child's health. They must be kept out of the stress if
any into their surrounding environment. If necessary they could also consult to a doctor or
consultant in order to cure this disorder after analysing they are suffering from one.
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PART 2 (b) ESSAY
Description of health issue
In many of the new mother of Australia it is regarded to as very common and serious
issue which is related to their pre or post pregnancy periods. Th postpartum or perinatal
depression is occurring in new mother after their baby is born that is manly depending upon the
mood disorder at the time when they are pregnant (Stewart, Robertson and Wallington, 2003).
This is very much into media and news coverage that they are been showing about this
depression which is affecting many women in the world especially within Australia. This could
be some time linked to both emotional and biological factor that are affecting them which is also
including many other factors like that of social or cultural issues.
Major symptoms of this type of depression could be defined to as tiredness, insomnia,
experiencing emotional changes and weight gain this means that any of the above symptoms
would be affecting pregnancy as well. It is important that the patient who is suffering from all
these symptoms of perinatal depression is talking about them to their doctors (Robertson,
Wallington and Stewart, 2004). This would be really helpful for all the patients in order to cope
up and come out from the depression which they are suffering from. Other than these there are
also some other symptoms which they all need to talk about to their doctors like that of increased
in anxiety, changes in appetite, loss in enjoyment or other pleasure activities, frequent crying or
weepiness and low energy or fatigue.
This would also be affecting the health of a mother and their social relationships would
be influenced due to this moreover their infants development would be affecting that too in
negative manner. In many recent studies and researchers shows that about 10-20% of women
during their pregnancy period would be witnessing this depression which would be lasting to
about 6 months or longer (McCoy, Shipman and Watson, 2006). Perinatal depression would be
occurring during or earlier than their delivery or pregnancy period while postpartum would be
after the birth of their child.
Discussion and synthesis of influencing factors
There could be many factors which are influencing or causing the depression which is
occurring in new mothers of world as in the time of pregnancy they would all be becoming over
protected. The major causes would be that of emotional disorder which later is turning into myth.
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As many of the media coverage are there which is showing the depression into their breaking
news events this would be one of the reason that is influencing this condition the most. Many of
the women who are on the stage of pregnancy which they are developing onto women like that
of pregnancy related mood disorder and also some of the major depressive disorder (MDD).
This would be becoming more prevalent which is shown in many medical studies which
are ongoing. As the new mother would be subject to rest and relaxing during or after the delivery
of her baby there also require to have someone who could take care of her and the child as well.
This is also regarded to as best treatment of mother who is more prone to suffer from perinatal
disorder or depression (Perinatal Depression, 2018). Treatment of this disorder would be
including that of importance of marital and family relationship which is consistently emphasising
across to have in both western and non western culture. While the risk factors would also be
there which could influence this perinatal depression like that of past history of depression,
anxiety during the pregnancy time stress in personal or professional life or poor social support.
Other than this there are also some other factors like that of low self esteem, maternal
neuroticism, child care stress or single marital status. These are top most social factor which
would be affecting the mothers so they should be relaxing as and when there is possibility or
spending time with the partner could also be helpful for their treatment.
CONCLUSION
At the end this is concluded that depression is very much common phenomenon which is
seen and occurring in peoples and there are also many type of reasons as to why they are facing
depression. One of the recent among them could be defined to as perinatal depression this is
common in new mothers due to their anxiety and other emotional disorder which they are facing
during and just after their pregnancy times.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
McCoy, S.J.B., Shipman, S.B.M., and Watson, G.H., 2006. Risk factors for postpartum
depression: a retrospective investigation at 4-weeks postnatal and a review of the
literature. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 106(4). p.193.
Robertson, E., Wallington, T. and Stewart, D.E., 2004. Antenatal risk factors for postpartum
depression: a synthesis of recent literature. General hospital psychiatry. 26(4). pp.289-295.
Stewart, D.E., Robertson, E., and Wallington, T., 2003. Postpartum depression: Literature review
of risk factors and interventions. Toronto: University Health Network Women’s Health
Program for Toronto Public Health.
Online:
Perinatal Depression. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/perinatal-depression>.
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