Impact of COVID-19 Healthcare Policies on Postpartum Depression
Abstract
This paper reviewed changes and effects of postpartum mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive literature review presents topics related to postpartum depression and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies established during the COVID-19 pandemic affecting postpartum women were analyzed using Russell and Fawcett’s Conceptual Model of Nursing and Health Policy (2005). During this analysis, potential policy impacts on postpartum mental health are discussed. The primary aim of this paper is to review care delivery changes that impacted postpartum mental health, changes to care that can potentially be made in the future to lessen that impact, and factors that need to be considered when making policy changes during a time of health crisis.