Postnatal depression and the struggle to avert its worst tragedies
Dr Ka-Kiu Cheung says GPs are best placed to engage with mothers as well as their partners to detect early warning signs.
When a young mother, known only as ‘Ms S’, reported suicidal ideation, anxiety and insomnia to her GP, she was referred to ED for urgent care.
But 10 days later, she was found dead in her home in Brisbane, having taken her own life during a brief 25-minute window when her husband was out of the house.
The coroner found that the GP had made “every effort” to secure appropriate care for the woman with severe postnatal depression (PND).
Ms S had been struggling with insomnia while caring for her unsettled baby who also had difficulty feeding.
