WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD: THE ROLE OF NURSES IN THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To analyze and highlight the importance of the nursing role in the early detection of postpartum depression.Method: This is an integrative literature review addressing nursing practice in relation to postpartum depression.Results: The discussion was organized into three thematic categories: training of nurses for the early detection of postpartum depression; depressive symptoms during pregnancy and associated factors; and nursing actions and strategies during the puerperium for the prevention and management of postpartum depression.Final considerations: The literature analysis showed that nursing plays a fundamental role in this process, as nurses follow women from the prenatal period through the postpartum stage. Thus, nurses become important allies in the early detection and prevention of postpartum depression through the establishment of professional bonds, qualified listening, clinical observation, and timely referral to specialized care.