Patient education: Depression during and after pregnancy – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for depression during or after pregnancy. Depression is a disorder that makes you sad, but it is different than normal sadness. It can make it hard for you to eat, sleep, work, or enjoy life. It can also make it hard to care for yourself and your baby or other children. Depression is caused by problems with chemicals in the brain.

For many people, pregnancy is a happy time. But some people have depression while pregnant (called "antenatal" depression) or after giving birth (called "postpartum" depression).

Depression can have a big impact on your life. Luckily, it can be treated. The sooner treatment is started, the better it works.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Take all your medicines as instructed.

●Go to all your appointments. This might include counseling sessions, support groups, or appointments for medical treatments.

●Do not drink alcohol or use cannabis or other recreational drugs.

●Try to move your body each day. Even gentle exercise, like walking, is good for your health. Try to spend time outside each day. Sunshine can help make you feel better.

●Talk to family and friends you trust about your feelings and how they can help. Ask if they can help care for your baby so you have more time to rest.

●Try to keep a regular sleep schedule. Try to get 8 hours of sleep every night. This can be very hard to do with a new baby, but it is important to get as much sleep as you can. When possible, rest or nap when your baby sleeps.

●Find healthy ways to handle stress, like talking to others or hobbies you enjoy. Relaxation exercises, meditation, and activities like yoga or tai chi can help you handle stress.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You think you might harm yourself or someone else. In the US, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

-To speak to someone, call or text 988.

-To talk to someone online, go to chat.988lifeline.org.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if:

●Your symptoms do not start to get better within 1 or 2 weeks.

●Your family and friends say they are worried about you.

●You continue to have problems eating or sleeping.

●You are having trouble functioning at work, at home, or in school.

●You have new or worsening symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Depression during and after pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for depression (The Basics)
Patient education: Screening for depression in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: When you have depression and another health problem (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercise and other activities to help with depression (The Basics)
Patient education: Coping with worry and stress (The Basics)

Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression treatment options for adults (Beyond the Basics)