Nursing interventions for patients with postpartum psychosis hospitalized on an expert psychiatric mother baby unit: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum psychosis is one of the most severe psychiatric disorders that may occur in the postnatal period. When psychiatric admission is required for women with postpartum psychosis, admission on a mother baby unit is recommended. The care on the mother baby unit is focused on the maternal health, the mother - baby outcomes, and the next of kin. In current literature the role of nurses is seen as challenging, although studies on effective nursing interventions and their rationale for women with a postpartum psychosis are limited.

Aim: The study aimed to identify and elaborate interventions used by nurses working on a specialised mother baby unit during the acute phase of admission for patients with a postpartum psychosis during the first six months after giving birth.

Methods: The study design was a descriptive qualitative study using thematic analysis. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect the data by expert nurses employed on a best practice mother baby unit.

Results: Thirteen nurses participated in the study. Four themes were identified to describe the nursing care, 1. treatment of the mental disorder, 2. care for the mother baby dyad, 3. care for the partner and 4. psychoeducation. Within all themes nurses mentioned the need to provide nursing care by integrating the care for the baby, patient and partner and use tailored interventions to meet all their needs.

Conclusion: Nurses described the necessity of tailoring interventions within a holistic approach to the needs of the baby, patient and partner within all identified themes during the acute phase of admission on a mother baby unit.

Recommendations: These interventions can be adopted by nurses who care for patients with postpartum psychosis and provide a base to refine current interventions by further research.