Abstract

 Giving birth and/or adopting are generally considered a happy time in a woman’s life.  However, for approximately thirteen percent of women in Western and non-Western cultures, the perinatal mood disorder, known as Postpartum Depression (PPD), may result which can persist up to a year or longer.  To thwart the negative effects that PPD has on the infant, the woman, and the family, early identification and interventions are essential.  Nurses, worldwide, who are in close contact with the new mother, have an opportunity to improve outcomes for the mother/infant dyad during this vulnerable period.  Therefore, it is critical for all nurses to know the signs and symptoms, screening tools, interventions, and treatment modalities for PPD.  The purpose of this presentation is to disseminate current Western research regarding PPD, and other perinatal mood disorders, as a means to open up dialogue and communication between nurses from non-Western and Western countries so as to explore strategies that promote teaching-learning about evidence-based practice related to perinatal mood disorders.