Hvordan kan samtale bidra til å lindre lidelse og fremme helse hos kvinner med fødselsdepresjon?

Background and purpose:

Ten to fifteen per cent of new mothers suffer from postnatal depression. The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding about how to use conversation to alleviate these women's suffering and help them to regain their health.

Method:

The article is based on a literature study of articles and publications gathered from the databases Medline and Cinahl. The results are interpreted in a caring science perspective, more specifically Katie Erikssons theories on health and suffering. The methodology is based on Gadamer's hermeneutic philosophy.

Results and conclusion:

1) The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as starting point and tool for conversation; 2) Using active listening and confirming skills; 3) Offer the woman opportunities to talk about feelings and experiences.

Being conscious of one's own ethos yields the public health nurse courage and strength to relate to and confirm the women's suffering giving them time and space to suffer to gain reconciliation.