Prescription Opioids During Pregnancy and Risk for Major Malformations
Previous studies have suggested a link between opioid exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of certain major malformations, including neural tube defects. A recent study from Bateman and colleagues assesses the risk of major malformation in women with first trimester use of prescription opioid use.  This study included 1,602,580 publicly insured pregnant women in the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX, 2000-14) and 1,177, 676 commercially insured pregnant women (MarketScan, 2003-15). The use [...]
Weekly Roundup for MARCH 12, 2021: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health. For more detailed descriptions of many of these topics, you can sign up to receive our weekly CWMH NEWSLETTER which comes out every Thursday.  And don't forget to visit ESSENTIAL [...]
Essential Reads: Evidence-Based Interventions for Depressed Mothers and Their Young Children
In a given year, about 10% of mothers in the United States experience a major depressive episode (MDE). Roughly translated, this means about 1 in 10 children is exposed to maternal depression each year (Ertel et al, 2011). While much attention has focused on postpartum depression, which affects about 10% to 15% of women, mothers with older children continue to be at increased risk for depression. Furthermore, rates of depression are [...]
Exploring the Link Between Prenatal Adversity and Adolescent Psychiatric Risk
We have long been concerned about the impact of prenatal stress on fetal development and subsequent risk for developmental problems and psychiatric morbidity. Various studies have demonstrated an association between maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy and increased risk for psychiatric morbidity in exposed children. It is important to recognize that many women experience multiple psychological and medical adversities during pregnancy.  It is not known how being exposed to a [...]
Weekly Roundup for MARCH 5, 2021: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Every week we review the most recent publications in women’s mental health, covering topics related to premenstrual symptoms, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, use of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, perinatal substance use, and menopausal mental health. For more detailed descriptions of many of these topics, you can sign up to receive our weekly CWMH NEWSLETTER which comes out every Thursday.  And don't forget to visit ESSENTIAL [...]
Essential Reads: Lithium and Pregnancy
While the use of lithium has been in decline over the last 20 years, lithium continues to be a useful and highly effective mood stabilizer for women with bipolar disorder, especially those with a history of mania. We have long been aware of its teratogenic effects, with some studies documenting an increased risk of cardiovascular malformations. Nonetheless the absolute risk of adverse events is relatively low, and lithium continues to be [...]