New Mothers With Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Decision-Making

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant health issue for many new mothers in the weeks and months following a child’s birth. Quantitative data suggest that a mother’s PPD negatively impacts healthcare decision-making for the child via routine well-baby visits and pediatric care. However, little is known from a qualitative perspective about the factors that challenge or facilitate these healthcare decisions. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to understand the perceptions of new mothers about factors contributing to their healthcare decision-making, for themselves and for their children, while living with PPD. The researchers used purposive sampling to recruit eight women from clinics, community organizations, and social media support groups who met the study’s inclusion criteria. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight participants about their PPD experiences, motherhood, and healthcare decision-making influences. Transcribed interviews and initial themes were shared with participants to verify researcher interpretations and aid in the analysis process. The researchers analyzed interview data using thematic analysis to cultivate an understanding of the phenomenon by identifying and interpreting patterns in the data. Three primary themes were drawn from the data analysis: (1) Importance of Clinician Trust and Support; (2) Balancing the Health of the Mother and Child; and (3) Other Support Structures That Facilitate Healthcare Decision-Making for the Mother and Baby Dyad. Participant experiences underscored the need for cohesive approaches by clinical providers of pre- and postnatal care. Group model approaches to postnatal care appear to mitigate or reduce the impact of PPD.