Essential Reads: Peer Support Interventions for Perinatal Depression
Peer support interventions can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression and the severity of depressive symptoms.
Essential Reads: Why Non-Randomized Studies Fall Short When Assessing Reproductive Safety
All of our information on the reproductive safety of medications comes from non-randomized studies. However, many of these studies fail to take into consideration other factors associated with maternal psychiatric illness which may also affect outcomes.
Essential Reads: What You Need to Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms
While many peri- and post-menopausal women request bioidentical hormones, there is no data to suggest that bioidential hormones are safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone replacement therapies.
Essential Reads: Folic Acid, Neural Tube Defects, and Congenital Heart Defects
Despite the unequivocal benefits of folic acid supplementation and recommendations urging all women of reproductive age to take folic acid supplements, preconceptual use of folic acid has not increased substantially.
Essential Reads: Breastfeeding and Anti-Epileptic Drugs
While data are limited regarding AEDs and breastfeeding, it appears that none of the AEDs are excreted at high levels into the breast milk, nor have they been associated with high rates of adverse events in the nursing infant.
Essential Reads: Toward a Better Understanding of the Long-Term Course of Postpartum Psychosis
Women with postpartum psychosis are at risk for recurrent illness, but we have limited data regarding risk factors for recurrence.
Essential Reads: The Negative Impact of Prenatal Opioid Use on Fertility, Pregnancy, Neonatal Outcomes and Long-Term Developmental Outcomes
Prenatal opioid use is associated with increased maternal and infant mortality, prematurity, and poor neonatal outcomes.
Essential Reads: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs
Our data regarding prenatal exposure to BZDs and/or z-drugs and risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes is still sparse.
Essential Reads: The Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)
The PLLR helps to put the potential effects of the drug into perspective with the goal of providing a more individualized risk-benefit analysis.
Essential Reads: What is the Best Screening Tool for Depression During Pregnancy?
Many women experience depression during pregnancy. What is the best way to identify these women?