TY - JOUR

T1 - An exploration of negative thoughts as a normal phenomenon after childbirth.

AU - Hall, Pauline L.

AU - Wittkowski, Anja

N1 - PG intake 2001

PY - 2006/9

Y1 - 2006/9

N2 - The period following the birth of a child brings many transitions into a woman’s life, which can effect major psychological and social changes, including feelings of loss. If new mothers experience negative thoughts at this time, when societal expectations are of happiness, this may lead to feelings of unacceptability and guilt. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of negative thoughts after childbirth in nondepressed mothers. Following the identification of negative thoughts experienced by women who had suffered postnatal depression, a quantitative survey was conducted, which asked nondepressed mothers to indicate how often they experienced the negative thoughts or images identified by depressed mothers. One hundred and fifty-eight returned questionnaire packs were included in the analyses. The 158 nondepressed mothers acknowledged experiencing all but one of the 54 negative cognitions. Negative cognitions usually associated with postnatal depression are also experienced by mothers who are not considered depressed. This information provides evidence for reassuring new mothers that negative thoughts after childbirth are common. This, in turn, may help to reduce feelings of guilt associated with experiencing negative thoughts in the postpartum period.

AB - The period following the birth of a child brings many transitions into a woman’s life, which can effect major psychological and social changes, including feelings of loss. If new mothers experience negative thoughts at this time, when societal expectations are of happiness, this may lead to feelings of unacceptability and guilt. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of negative thoughts after childbirth in nondepressed mothers. Following the identification of negative thoughts experienced by women who had suffered postnatal depression, a quantitative survey was conducted, which asked nondepressed mothers to indicate how often they experienced the negative thoughts or images identified by depressed mothers. One hundred and fifty-eight returned questionnaire packs were included in the analyses. The 158 nondepressed mothers acknowledged experiencing all but one of the 54 negative cognitions. Negative cognitions usually associated with postnatal depression are also experienced by mothers who are not considered depressed. This information provides evidence for reassuring new mothers that negative thoughts after childbirth are common. This, in turn, may help to reduce feelings of guilt associated with experiencing negative thoughts in the postpartum period.

KW - cognitions

KW - normalization

KW - postpartum

KW - women

U2 - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2006.03.007

DO - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2006.03.007

M3 - Journal article

VL - 51

SP - 321

EP - 330

JO - Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health

JF - Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health

SN - 1526-9523

IS - 5

ER -