Puerperal psychosis is sometimes called postpartum psychosis or postnatal psychosis. It is a severe psychiatric disorder affecting a small proportion of new mothers (1–2/1000) shortly after childbirth.
A number of factors are thought to contribute to the onset of postpartum psychosis; Perinatal infant death, long duration of labour, loss of sleep, and increased environmental stressors such as marital discord, and the precipitous drop in hormone levels shortly after childbirth.
Symptoms vary and can change rapidly from hour to hour and from one day to the next. Puerperal psychosis should be considered in women experiencing mood swings, over-excitement . . .
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