reply to post by silo13
Alright apology accepted. Now we can play nice and deny ignorance together.
In my honest opinion, I could not begin to fathom the actual questioning in the direct 48 hour period after childbirth. During pregnancy I could see
such questioning, and eventually postpartum I could see it, but I could not see an accurate mental health diagnosis being made in that immediate time
period. It would be medically irresponsible.
The questioning for the 10-20%ish of women who suffer from prenatal depression follow the exact same questioning as that of regular depression; i.e
not sleeping, not eating, anxiety, suicide, etc. There are "signs" to look as a care provider but information must be provided in order for the
woman to "diagnose" she has an actual problem.
There are also "pre-existing conditions" which are used...such as terrible PMS, previous depression not related to pregnancy, previous PPD.
The "baby blues" (which is normal due to estrogen and testosterone levels subsiding/rising) peak around the 4th day postpartum and should end around
2 weeks afterward. These also mimick depression. Anything after two weeks is not "normal" (though it might not be PPD) and is cause of alarm.
Considering most mothers have the "baby blues" questions during that first 48 hour period would be futile!
"Are your tearful?"
"Change in appetite?"
"Anxious?"
"Fatigue or loss of energy?"
"Difficulty concentrating?"
Um, YES! I just went through 40 hours of labor, haven't slept, trying to breastfeed, this hospital food is terrible, my emotions are everywhere, and
this baby won't stop crying! AHHH!
Unless you say you directly feel suicidal or like harming your baby...then I would say every mother would be diagnosed with PPD (even though that
usually is not done, yet again, until after 2 weeks PP). So no one would be going home with a baby!!!!!
Lets say you feel suicidal. That would be the only logical questioning with any time of resonance in the medical community. You just had a baby,
you're in the hospital, and you want to kill yourself.
Being that you are still in the hospital, I would strongly presume they would try to keep you there. I would also strongly presume, being in that
"controlled" environment, they would try very hard to get you to take SSDIs. Once you check in that hospital you give up alot of power. That is kind
of the way it is...regardless of this bill. In fact, there is a strong possibility being that you are already in a medical environment that you could
even have your consent taken away from you.
Medically, suicidal tendencies are highly, highly unlikely while still in the hospital. Though we could probably both agree....if you are going to
kill yourself or others...some intervention is needed for general reasons of morality...and obviously, liability...
I think it would be up to hospital policy and/or state law at that point...not this bill.
Let's say you have had a previous case of PPD...a severe one. And in the hospital they ask you how you feel, and you pretty much exemplify the "baby
blues". I do not think they would force medication on you immediately. It might depend on what worked for you in the past. For example, some women
say stopping breastfeeding helps, some say keep breastfeeding helps. Some say SSRIs....some say Reiki! And it can change from pregnancy to
pregnancy.....
I also think you would not be denied to leave with your child. They will ask you, in any kind of "risk" situation, if you and your partner are
having "problems" or if you don't have a partner...then do you have any family? Again, these are "risk" questions and not diagnosis.
I don't doubt SSRIs might be offered by some irresponsible doctors at this point-but you can't babysit everyone. If you don't do your research, AND
NO INFO IS PROVIDED TO YOU, then how you can make an informed decsion?
Also, don't forget many times thyroid problems due to hormonal fluctuations are often misdiagnosed as PPD.....
[edit on 22-4-2009 by awake_awoke]