New Research from the CWMH: No Increase in Major Malformations in Children Prenatally Exposed to Aripiprazole
Despite the increasing use of the newer atypical or second-generation antipsychotic agents to treat a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, including psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD and other anxiety disorders, we have relatively little data on the reproductive safety of these newer atypical agents. In response to this deficit, the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics was created to evaluate the safety of atypical antipsychotic medications taken by women during [...]
Weekly Roundup for MARCH 26, 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 READS [...]
Reproductive safety of treatments for women with bipolar disorder
Dr. Lee S. Cohen, Director of the Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, recently shared his insights on the reproductive safety of medication for bipolar disorder with Ob.Gyn News on March 25th, 2021. Since March 2020, my colleagues and I have conducted Virtual Rounds at the Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. It has been an opportunity to review the basic tenets of care for [...]
Essential Reads: Innovative Methods for Addressing Substance Abuse During Pregnancy
While the use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy is falling, the use of cannabis and opioids is increasing. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends universal screening for substance use to be carried out at the first prenatal visit with a validated screening tool; however, there are some challenges and barriers to implementing universal screening and providing treatment in this population.  In this excellent slide presentation from Dr. [...]
COVID-19 and Pregnancy Outcomes: What We Know One Year Later
Over a year ago, we wrote our first post on COVID-19, and it is hard to believe that we are still very much in the midst of a pandemic. Since that time, we have learned a lot more about the virus, how to prevent and manage COVID-19 infection, and vaccines are rolling out across the globe. We have also learned about how COVID-19 affects maternal and newborn health.  A recent [...]
Virtual Rounds with CWMH Continues
It's been a year. Shortly after lockdown in March of last year, the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health launched our virtual rounds on Wednesdays at 2-3 PM EST via Zoom for all health professionals with an interest in reproductive psychiatry and women’s mental health. . This has been a tremendous opportunity for us to meet other providers in our field.  Invaluable contributions from our guests panelists, as well as the [...]