Measuring the Psychological Impact of Stillbirth and Neonatal Death
 Perinatal loss is a traumatic event for women and their families.  While we clearly understand the potential for perinatal loss to cause significant emotional consequences, we have little data on the prevalence of depressive illness and posttraumatic stress disorder in this population of women. A recent study contacted a total of 1400 women with stillbirth or an infant death before 28 days of age. 609 women completed surveys and were [...]
What Screening Tools Identify Postpartum Women with Bipolar Disorder?
Women with bipolar disorder (BD) are at extremely high risk for postpartum psychiatric illness, specifically postpartum psychosis. Â While the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology now recommends that all women be screened for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period, we have little information regarding the screening tools that are best suited for the identification of women with bipolar disorder. Â Many sites now use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for postpartum [...]
Antidepressant Treatment During Pregnancy May Carry Less Risk than Untreated Illness in the Mother
Some, but not all, studies have shown an association between in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores. Â One of the difficulties in estimating the risk for adverse outcomes in this population is that studies have used varying methodologies and have relied on different means of identifying and classifying neonatal outcomes. Â Furthermore, many of [...]
In Brief: Pre-Pregnancy Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression
A recent study examined the prevalence of perinatal depression in diabetic and non-diabetic women. Â This was a prospective cohort of women recruited from a clinic serving low-income women in Chicago, Illinois. Â Women were identified as having diabetes (either gestational or pre-pregnancy) or no diabetes. Postpartum depression was defined as a positive screen on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A total of 305 women participated; 100 (30.5 %) had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [...]
In Brief: Venlafaxine as Effective as Low-Dose Estradiol for Menopausal Sleep Symptoms
Which treatment is best for managing menopausal sleep problems? We tend to think of estrogen replacement therapy as being the best option for all menopausal symptoms; however, there are other options for managing menopausal symptoms, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and gabapentin. A recent study compares low-dose estradiol and low-dose venlafaxine for the treatment of sleep and vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women with hot flashes. In this double-blind randomized [...]
Telephone-Based CBT for Postpartum Depression
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for mood and anxiety disorders and has been shown to be effective for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). However, not all women have access to CBT-savvy therapists. In addition, it is often difficult for new mothers to travel outside of the home for regular appointments. A recent study demonstrates that CBT delivered via telephone may be a useful and effective intervention for depressed [...]