Maternidade e Baby Blues: os desafios emocionais do puerpério e a necessidade de apoios psicológicos as puérperas

Abstract

The puerperium is a period marked by intense physical, emotional, and social changes, which makes women particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. In this context, baby blues—a transient condition affecting up to 80% of postpartum women—presents with sadness, tearfulness, anxiety, and emotional lability. Although self-limited, this condition requires attention due to the risk of progression to more severe disorders, such as postpartum depression. Therefore, systematic assessment of maternal mental health is essential. This study aimed to describe the phenomenon of baby blues during the postpartum period, emphasizing the importance of psychological support and the role of nursing in the early identification of emotional distress. This literature review was conducted between January and March 2025 and included publications from 2017 to 2024 indexed in BVS, LILACS, BDENF, and SciELO, in addition to guidelines from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the 2022 World Health Organization recommendations for postnatal care, which highlight the use of validated tools for screening depression and anxiety. The reviewed studies addressed the application of instruments such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), essential for identifying mood and anxiety symptoms in postpartum women. Findings indicate that emotional support, active listening, and continuous follow-up provided by nurses and other healthcare professionals can reduce the emotional impact of the postpartum period and prevent the worsening of symptoms. It is concluded that strengthening mental health actions, training healthcare professionals, and expanding access to psychosocial interventions are essential measures to promote a safer, more welcoming, and healthier puerperium.