1

A new mother is admitted to the acute psychiatric unit with severe postpartum depression. She is tearful and states, “I don’t know why this happened to me I was so excited for my baby to come, but now I don’t know!” Which of the following responses by the nurse is MOST therapeutic?

  • “Maybe you weren’t ready for a child after all.”

  • “Having a new baby is stressful, and the tiredness and different hormone levels don’t help. It happens to many new mothers and is very treatable.”

  • “What happened once you brought the baby home? Did you feel nervous?”

  • “Has your husband been helping you with the housework at all?”