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    Blog2023-08-08T17:17:12-04:00

    You Asked:  What Medications Can Be Used For Smoking Cessation in a Breastfeeding Woman?

    Smoking is relatively common during pregnancy, with about 10% of all women smoking at some point during their pregnancy. The rates are even higher among women with psychiatric illness.  While many women may be able to stop smoking or reduce their intake during pregnancy, most women resume smoking during the postpartum period.  And women who suffer from postpartum depression are at even higher risk for smoking relapse. Nicotine and other [...]

    January 2nd, 2020|

    Can We Predict Bipolar Switching in Women Diagnosed with Unipolar Depression?

    For women, the postpartum period appears to be a time of increased risk for conversion to bipolar disorder in women previously diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Sharma and colleagues observed that the rate of diagnostic switching to bipolar II disorder occurred in 6.52% of women during the first six months after childbirth, which is at least 11- to 18-fold times higher than the rates of switching observed in similar studies conducted [...]

    December 30th, 2019|

    A Meta-Analysis of Gestational Diabetes and Risk for Perinatal Depression

    According to recent findings published in Diabetic Medicine, women who develop gestational diabetes may be more likely to experience depression during pregnancy and after delivery, compared to women without gestational diabetes. Over the years, we have reviewed several studies looking at the association between GDM and risk for depression.    In a systematic review and meta-analysis, Wilson and colleagues analyzed data from 62 studies.  They observed that the prevalence of elevated levels [...]

    December 27th, 2019|

    In Brief:  Postpartum Depression Common in First-Time Fathers

    Depressive symptoms were assessed in a group of 622 Canadian first-time fathers during their partner’s third trimester using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).  The prevalence of depressive symptoms in fathers was 13.76% at 2 months and 13.6% at 6 months.   This study suggests that postpartum depression may be as common in fathers as it is in mothers.  It should be noted that the prevalence of paternal depression in this study [...]

    December 23rd, 2019|

    Weekly Roundup for DECEMBER 20, 2019: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health

    The year has certainly been a busy one for reproductive psychiatry.  The weekly roundup will be on vacation next week, but we have plenty of interesting articles to ponder in January.  Stay tuned. This week there were several important articles looking at bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period.  Preliminary research from Nancy Byatt and her colleagues at MCPAP for Moms observe that in the community, obstetric providers are managing [...]

    December 21st, 2019|

    Happy Holidays from the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health

    Winter is definitely upon us here in Boston.  As we waddle around like penguins, bundled in bulky down coats, trying not to fall and break our hips on the ice-covered sidewalks, we may forget to reflect on more pleasant (and warmer) times.   It has been a fulfilling and productive year for us at the Center for Women’s Mental Health.  We have seen an unprecedented year of growth, in terms of interest [...]

    December 20th, 2019|
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