Emergency Resources for Individuals with Perinatal Mental Health Issues
This very helpful list from Wendy Davis, PhD, Executive Director of Postpartum Support International, describes what the various emergency services can provide.
Depression, Anxiety During Pregnancy Associated with Significant Increase in Adverse Perinatal Outcomes
Diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder during pregnancy was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in adverse perinatal outcomes.
Increased Risk of Preterm Birth in Veterans with PTSD
Largest studies to date demonstrate statistically significant risk of preterm birth among women with active PTSD.
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.
Should Valproic Acid Be Used in Women of Reproductive Age? Experts Disagree
The use of valproic acid during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in risk of major malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders. Given these risks, should it be a treatment option for women of childbearing age?
Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar-Spectrum Mood Episodes During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period in Perinatal Women
A recent review and meta-analysis found that upwards of 20% of women with no history of psychiatric illness experience their first bipolar-spectrum mood episode during the perinatal period.
Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences Linked to Changes in Neonatal Brain Development and Behavior
Maternal ACEs were associated with both newborn amygdala volume and subsequent infant negative emotionality.
How Common Are Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Women?
A recent study shows the OCRDs, especially those that are more body-focused, have the potential to emerge or worsen during pregnancy and the postpartum, leading to high levels of comorbid depression and functional impairment.
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.