Education
Intervention and treatment of PPMD requires education and screening.
Communities, as well as individuals, must be educated in regard to risk factors,
symptoms, and etiology of PPMD. Education about PPMD begins with
awareness. This can be possible through prenatal classes, physician offices, health
clinics, and media blitzes. Education is provided on two levels, with the
individual and her community and the health care professional.
Community education can be accomplished by newspaper articles,
women’s health newsletters, and community lectures (Straub et al., 1998).
Ugarriza (2002) suggests emphasizing the roles of family members in helping
new mothers gain rest and support. Baker et al. (2002) recommend including
family members or significant others in the educational process. They also state
that education regarding PPMD should be a routine part of every patient’s
antepartum care.