Bupropion for Smoking Cessation in a Pregnant Women
About half of women smokers stop smoking during pregnancy, and that means about 13% of women in the United States continue to smoke while pregnant. Â In addition, about half of the women who manage to stop smoking during pregnancy relapse during the postpartum period. Â While smoking is a potential problem for all women, rates of tobacco use are higher among who suffer from depression. Â Rates of smoking during pregnancy are particularly [...]
Is It Safe During Pregnancy? There’s An App for That
 January was Birth Defects Prevention Month, and MotherToBaby launched a free app  designed to provide evidence-based information to pregnant and breastfeeding women. There is Information on a broad range of medications, some herbal remedies, maternal illness, infections and vaccines, alcohol and other substances, occupational exposures, and other exposures (including things like lead, hair dye). We are particularly interested in how this app handles psychotropic medications.  If you look up fluoxetine [...]
Weekly Roundup for MARCH 4, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
 The first study on our list adds to the relatively limited information we have regarding the long-term effects of prenatal antidepressant exposure, and the findings look good, demonstrating no lasting effects of prenatal exposure to SSRI antidepressants.  Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and non-verbal cognitive functioning in childhood. El Marroun H, White TJ, Fernandez G, Jaddoe VW, Verhulst FC, Stricker BH, Tiemeier H.  J Psychopharmacol. 2017 Mar;31(3):346-355. [...]
Is Postpartum Depression on the Decline?
 Most studies over the last few decades have estimated the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in the United States to be between 10% and 15%.  According to longitudinal data derived from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), the prevalence in the US could be decreasing. Postpartum depression is common and associated with adverse infant and maternal outcomes such as lower breastfeeding initiation and duration and poor mother-infant bonding. The [...]
Weekly Roundup for FEBRUARY 24, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
One of the more interesting articles this week is the first on the list. Â According to this study, the prevalence of postpartum depression is decreasing. Trends in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms - 27 States, 2004, 2008, and 2012. Ko JY, Rockhill KM, Tong VT, Morrow B, Farr SL. Â MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Feb 17;66(6):153-158. Â Â Free Article In this population-based sample of postpartum women, a decline in the prevalence of self-reported [...]
Weekly Roundup for FEBRUARY 17, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
 It was a light week, but a lot of articles on depression and anxiety in expectant and postpartum fathers.  Perinatal anxiety and depression are less common in men as compared to women but still a significant concern, especially because the father’s mental health issues may coincide with and exacerbate maternal depression and anxiety. Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD  Paternal Depression Symptoms During Pregnancy and After Childbirth Among Participants in the [...]