Barriers to care for women with postpartum depression : an integrative review of the qualitative literature

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative literature review is to examine barriers to care for women with postpartum depression in order to provide a better understanding of ways that healthcare providers can help patients overcome these barriers. Postpartum depression has been identified as the "most common complication of childbearing" (Teng, Blackmore, & Stewart, 2007, pg. 93). It is estimated that between 10% and 20% of all childbearing women will be affected by postpartum depression (PPD) (McCarthy & McMahon, 2008). This disorder not only affects the well-being of the mother, but of the infant as well. As many as 50% of all cases may go unrecognized and untreated. Barriers to care that have been identified include stigma, lack of child care, finances, poor past experiences with healthcare providers, language barriers, failure to recognize own symptoms as PPD, and providers' lack of understanding of the condition (McCarthy & McMahon, 2008). Increasing awareness of these common barriers among primary care providers may enable them to assist patients in a way that will improve health outcomes for both the mother and the infant.