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

Light Therapy: A Good Alternative to Medications during Pregnancy?

Depression during pregnancy is common and has major health implications for the mother, the fetus and the family. On this website, we have reviewed numerous treatments for affective disorders in pregnancy, including psychotropic medications and several forms of psychotherapy. We have not had much data to support the use of light therapy for antepartum depression, yet I often discuss light therapy as a potential adjunctive treatment for patients with a seasonal component to their depression. A recent study, published by Wirz-Justice and colleagues in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, provides evidence that light therapy may be a useful non-pharmacologic treatment for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy(1).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2024-07-24T11:56:34-04:00October 20th, 2011|Alternative & Complementary, Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Antidepressant Treatment During Pregnancy: One Woman’s Experience (Part IV)

Part 4: The Postpartum Period

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:44:15-04:00October 18th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Antidepressant Treatment During Pregnancy: One Woman’s Experience (Part III)

Part 3: Planning for the Postpartum Period

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:44:03-04:00September 19th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Antidepressant Treatment During Pregnancy: One Woman’s Experience (Part II)

Part 2: Pregnancy

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:42:32-04:00September 14th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Antidepressant Treatment During Pregnancy: One Woman’s Experience (Part 1)

Part 1: Pre-Pregnancy Planning

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:42:14-04:00August 29th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Medication, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

What is the Impact of Depression During Pregnancy?

In a recent study by Gerardin and colleagues, the authors note that more research has been done to demonstrate the consequences of postpartum depression than depression during pregnancy (also called antenatal or prenatal depression). Infants born to mothers with depression during pregnancy have been demonstrated to have lower scores on motor behavior and more crying and irritability. Few studies, however, have assessed the longer-term effects of antenatal depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:40:30-04:00July 12th, 2011|Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Generalized Anxiety in Pregnancy

Few studies have focused on anxiety disorders in the perinatal period. While various studies have measured levels of anxiety or distress during pregnancy, most studies have relied upon self-report questionnaires to assess for anxiety. In contrast, few studies have used standardized diagnostic criteria to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders in pregnant populations. In a recent study, Buist and colleagues studied the prevalence and course of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a prospectively ascertained population of pregnant women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-04-10T13:27:22-04:00June 21st, 2011|Anxiety Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Clinical Case: Should SSRIs Be Tapered Prior To Delivery?

Ms. T is a 33 year old woman with a history of recurrent depression who is 32 weeks pregnant with her first pregnancy. She has remained on her citalopram (Celexa) throughout pregnancy and has been well. Her gynecologist has encouraged her to enquire about coming off the Celexa prior to delivery in order to avoid symptoms of neonatal distress. What should she do?

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T14:36:21-04:00June 13th, 2011|Antidepressants, Depressive Disorders, Medication, Pregnancy & Medications, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Treatment|Comments Off

Anxiety During Pregnancy: How Does it Affect the Developing Fetal Brain?

During fetal life, neurons proliferate, migrate and form connections, providing the structure of the developing brain. Neurons reach their final destinations by the 16th week of gestation, while branching and making appropriate connections occur even before that time (1). The brain continues to develop during the entire pregnancy, with most of the synapse formation in the developing brain happens during the third trimester (2).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-09-01T11:40:38-04:00April 11th, 2011|Anxiety Disorders, Child Outcomes, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

ACOG Focuses on Smoking Cessation in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

In the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued recommendations to providers regarding efforts to support smoking cessation in pregnant and postpartum women.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2017-05-05T11:50:17-04:00November 10th, 2010|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off