Depression and anxiety disorders during multiple pregnancy and parenthood

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1998 May-Jun;27(3):329-37. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.1998.tb02656.x.

Abstract

Depression or anxiety disorders may affect more than 25% of multiple birth parents during the perinatal period. Such parents often are uninformed, suffer in silence and fear, and are reticent to seek help. When depression, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are not recognized or are left untreated, parent health, parent-infants interaction, child development, and family stability may be seriously compromised. Nurses, as partners in care at the family and community levels, have a pivotal role to play in prevention-focused health, education, and social support programs; the identification of parents at risk; and the early recognition and support of women and families affected by these disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / etiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / nursing
  • Anxiety Disorders / prevention & control
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Depression / nursing
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Multiple Birth Offspring / psychology*
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / nursing
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple / psychology*
  • Risk Factors