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Behavioral Health
Version 1.0
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Postpartum Depression

A practical, evidence-based course on recognizing, assessing, triaging, and coordinating treatment for postpartum depression across US care settings.

A nurse conducts a private, compassionate postpartum mental health assessment while the patient's infant rests safely in a nearby bassinet.
Contact hours
3
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$15.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 3 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

A practical, evidence-based course on recognizing, assessing, triaging, and coordinating treatment for postpartum depression across US care settings.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 3 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, nurses will be able to distinguish postpartum depression from transient postpartum mood changes, major depressive episodes outside the perinatal context, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis. Learners will apply current screening, suicide-risk assessment, and referral principles. Learners will also be able to explain evidence-based psychotherapy and medication options, support shared decision-making during lactation, provide safety-focused education, and coordinate equitable follow-up for postpartum patients and families.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate postpartum depression from postpartum blues, major depressive disorder outside the perinatal period, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis.
  2. Identify biological, psychological, obstetric, and social factors that increase the risk of postpartum depression.
  3. Recognize depressive symptoms and administer a validated perinatal depression screening instrument according to organizational policy.
  4. Assess positive screens for suicide risk, thoughts of harming the infant, psychosis, mania, functional impairment, and immediate safety needs.
  5. Explain evidence-based psychotherapy, medication, lactation, social-support, and follow-up considerations.
  6. Implement a nursing plan that supports safety, treatment engagement, parent-infant functioning, equitable care, and continuity across settings.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Postpartum Depression.

Course outline

10 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    Postpartum Depression Definition

  3. 3

    Postpartum Depression and Major Depression Differences

  4. 4

    Risk Factors

  5. 5

    Signs and Symptoms

  6. 6

    When to Seek Help

  7. 7

    Types of Therapy

  8. 8

    Medication Options

  9. 9

    Nursing Considerations

  10. 10

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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