When a woman comes in for a consultation regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, we spend most of our time reviewing the potential risks of exposure to medications during pregnancy. Â However, we must also [...]
We are clearly making big strides in terms of increasing public awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, but we still have a long way to go when it comes to providing access to mental [...]
The three primary methods of communication in the human body (nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system) are interconnected in a number of ways, and exposures that take place during critical windows of fetal development [...]
The Maternity Experiences Survey (MES) is a national survey of Canadian women’s experiences, perceptions, knowledge and practices before conception and during pregnancy, birth and the early months of parenthood. This is a project funded by [...]
While we tend to think of sleep deprivation as a postpartum issue, a recent study from Finland indicates that sleep problems are relatively common during pregnancy, for both mothers and fathers. This study included 1667 [...]
When we meet women for consultations regarding the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy, we focus primarily on the impact of medications on the developing fetus and the pregnancy. Â However, we need also to address [...]
Phytoestrogens are weak plant-derived estrogens that are structurally similar to estrogen hormones produced by the body. Â The phytoestrogens contained in soy-based products are called isoflavones. Â Because they have estrogenic activity, soy isoflavones have long been [...]
In early studies designed to identify specific risk factors for postpartum depression, unplanned pregnancy was identified as a relatively weak predictor of postpartum depression. Â But there are many different types of unplanned pregnancy. For example, [...]
 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently released recommendations on Screening for Depression in Adults. The Task Force recommended that clinicians screen ALL ADULTS for depression and noted that screening in the primary [...]
The active form of vitamin D is produced by the human body as a byproduct of natural sun exposure; it is also found in certain foods, including some kinds of fish, egg yolks, and fortified [...]
