Women may experience depression and post-traumatic symptoms, especially those who were separated from their newborns after delivery and those with severe COVID-19 illness during pregnancy or after delivery.
Because women with bipolar disorder are at high risk for relapse during the postpartum period, we typically recommend that women continue treatment with lithium throughout the postpartum period. While this intervention clearly decreases risk for postpartum psychiatric illness, the use of lithium while breastfeeding presents certain challenges.
The reality is that most of the antidepressants taken by women today are relatively safe and carry a very low risk to the developing fetus.
Because pregnant and postpartum women face unique challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, they may be at increased risk for mental health problems in this setting. In a recent study, researchers from the University College of London surveyed 162 new mothers in London between May and June 2020 using a social network survey designed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. According to a 2017 study from California, drug-related deaths (3.68 per 100,000 person-years) and suicides (1.42 per 100,000 person-years) accounted for nearly [...]
Growing attention is being given to the public health dimensions of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Previously, we have reviewed studies looking at the prevalence of screening for PMADs and disparities therein and [...]
As we enter into the Fall of 2020, it is clear that we will be dealing with COVID-19 into the next year. We have learned so much about the novel coronavirus over the last six [...]
We at the Center for Women's Mental Health rely so much upon Postpartum Support International. The organization helps women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to find specialized treatment all over the world. The new [...]
In the United Kingdom (UK), health visitors (professionals who have at least three years of general nursing education and one year of specialist training) provide home visits to all women after birth as part [...]
Many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have pushed for a greater focus on maternal mental health as a means of improving outcomes in children and recommend universal screening for depression during [...]
