Exploring the Healthcare Services’ Contribution to Reducing Postpartum Depression

INTRODUCTION: The postpartum period is accompanied by health risks that impact many women. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health problem that has been neglected in maternal healthcare services. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ perceptions towards health services’ contribution to lowering the incidence of PPD. METHODS: An interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 10 postpartum nurses was interviewed face-to-face. The analysis followed Colaizzi's data analysis method. RESULTS: Seven main themes emerged on how to improve maternal health services to contribute to reducing the incidence of PPD among women: (1) maternal mental health, (2) follow-up of mental health status, (3) screening mental health status, (4) enhancing health education, (5) reducing stigma toward mental health, (6) updating resources, and (7) empowering nurses. CONCLUSION: The integration of mental health services into maternal services that are provided to women needs to be considered in the context of Saudi Arabia. This integration will result in high-quality holistic maternal care.