A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The client reports feeling sad and crying without reason. Which postpartum mood disorder does this MOST likely represent?

POSTPARTUM BLUES ('baby blues') is the MOST COMMON postpartum mood change, affecting up to 70-80% of new mothers. Characteristics: onset within 1-3 days after delivery; peaks around day 3-5; resolves on its own within 10-14 days; symptoms include tearfulness, emotional lability, irritability, anxiety, mood swings — often coexisting with happiness about the new baby; does NOT significantly impair functioning.

Cause: largely attributed to rapid hormonal shifts (dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone after delivery), combined with sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and emotional adjustment to motherhood.

Nursing care: reassure that baby blues is NORMAL and TEMPORARY; encourage rest and support; monitor for progression to postpartum depression; validate feelings without reinforcing that something is seriously wrong. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD): affects 10-15% of new mothers; onset usually within 4 weeks but can occur anytime in the first year; DOES NOT resolve on its own; symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks and significantly impair functioning; requires treatment (therapy, medication); Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the primary screening tool.

Postpartum psychosis: rare (1-2 per 1000); severe psychiatric emergency; symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior, rapid mood swings, confusion; onset within 1-2 weeks; IMMEDIATE psychiatric referral required; infant safety must be ensured.

Pn role: screen for mood disorders at postpartum visits using EPDS; provide education; report concerns to RN/provider; support and refer as needed.