Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Psychological Distress in the Mother May Affect Levels of Immunoglobulins in Breast Milk

We have seen multiple studies which indicate that postpartum depression (PPD) interferes with breastfeeding. Postpartum women who suffer from depression are less likely to breastfeed, and they typically breastfeed for a shorter duration than women who are not depressed. A recent study looks at an entirely different question, asking whether postpartum stress affects the quality of the breast milk. In this study, the researchers focused on levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the breast milk. (Immunoglobulins or antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby through the breast milk and help to confer immunity.)

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T10:58:53-04:00February 9th, 2015|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

Folic Acid is Essential for All Women of Reproductive Age

Last week was National Folic Acid Awareness Week at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), so this seems like a great time to remind women (and their caregivers) of the importance of folic acid in the prevention of birth defects. By taking the recommended dosage of folic acid daily, women will reduce the risk of neural tube defects by 50% - 70%. In addition, women who take folic acid supplements are less likely to give birth to a child with an autism spectrum disorder.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2018-06-09T17:45:25-04:00January 19th, 2015|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off

Pilot Study: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Decrease Levels of Stress during Pregnancy

We have long been concerned about the impact of stressful life events on pregnancy outcomes. There is data to indicate that stress experienced during pregnancy may increase the risk of various adverse outcomes, including increased risk of preterm birth and lower birth weight. Other studies suggest that prenatal exposure to maternal stress may also increase the risk of later psychopathology in the child, increasing the exposed child’s risk of being diagnosed with ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-03T13:20:16-04:00January 15th, 2015|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Women with Epilepsy at Higher Risk for Perinatal Depression

A recent study examined the prevalence and risk factors for perinatal depression and anxiety in a group of Norwegian women with epilepsy (n = 706) compared to pregnancies in all women without epilepsy (n = 106,511).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-07-21T11:07:25-04:00December 23rd, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

PTSD in Veterans Increases Risk of Preterm Birth

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relatively common among pregnant and postpartum women. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD for women is about 10%. PTSD is most prevalent among women of childbearing age and PTSD symptoms are common during pregnancy. Earlier this year, we reported on a study which observed that women with a diagnosis of PTSD had an increased risk of preterm birth. The risk was particularly high in those women with diagnoses of both PTSD and a major depressive episode; these women had a 4-fold increased risk of preterm birth.

By Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD|2026-01-11T11:58:15-04:00November 11th, 2014|Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, PTSD and Stress Related Disorders|Comments Off

New Research from the CWMH: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Increase Gestational Length

Women with psychiatric disorders represent an at-risk population for premature delivery and other obstetrical complications. This study assesses the association between omega-3 fatty acid use and length of gestation. In an unadjusted model, there was [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-31T21:40:11-04:00October 31st, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Research at CWMH|Comments Off

Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Schizophrenia

With the advent of the newer, atypical antipsychotic medications, patients with psychotic disorders have been able to achieve greater symptom control with less disabling side effects. For women with schizophrenia, there has also been an increase in fertility rates over the last decade. Previous studies have suggested that women with schizophrenia, as compared to women with no psychiatric illness, are at increased risk for pregnancy and delivery complications, including low birthweight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth. However, most of these studies occurred at a time when the women were treated with older antipsychotic medications, and we cannot assume that these findings are relevant now, when women with schizophrenia are more commonly treated with the newer atypical antipsychotics and have much better control of their symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-10-20T13:50:39-04:00October 14th, 2014|Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders|Comments Off

EPDS Modified to Screen for Lifetime Perinatal Depression

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was modified by adding lifetime PND screening questions, assessing worst episode, and symptom timing of onset, in order to assess the lifetime prevalence of perinatal depression. Subjects from the [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-09-15T16:21:50-04:00September 18th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Response to the New York Times Article on SSRIs and Pregnancy: Moving Toward a More Balanced View of Risk

We have received many emails and calls from colleagues and patients regarding the recent article on the safety of SSRI use during pregnancy published in the New York Times. In this article, health writer Roni Caryn Rabin, detailed the risks associated with the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-05T10:29:23-04:00September 5th, 2014|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Relaxation Exercises During Pregnancy: What are the Benefits for Mothers and Babies?

A significant number of women experience anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, with nearly 10% of women meeting criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. Even more women suffer from milder anxiety symptoms or what some refer to as [...]

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2014-07-30T14:59:57-04:00August 11th, 2014|Alternative & Complementary, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off