postnatal depression - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Screening for Perinatal Depression: What Can We Learn From Australia?

In 2009, the Australian government launched the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) in order “to improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression and to provide better support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing depression.” Its scope is very much like the MOTHERS Act, which became law in the United States in 2010. Both initiatives seek to increase public awareness of perinatal depression, to provide support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women with depression, to fund research in this area, and to implement training of health care professionals.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:57:25-04:00October 17th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Risk Factors for Postpartum Smoking Relapse

A high proportion (47%–63%) of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse during the postpartum period. Being able to identify those women at highest risk for relapse may help to devise strategies for preventing relapse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T10:52:21-04:00October 14th, 2012|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Prevalence & Risk Factors|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

Men Get Postpartum Depression Too

While postpartum depression (PPD) is typically considered to be a woman’s illness, a number of studies have suggested that, although men do not experience any of the dramatic physiologic or hormonal changes that go along with pregnancy, new fathers may also suffer from PPD. The most recent study was a meta-analysis published in the May 19th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2020-11-26T08:40:58-04:00June 7th, 2010|Breastfeeding & Medications, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Increase the Risk of Smoking Relapse

While many women who smoke successfully quit smoking during pregnancy, most of these women return to smoking within 12 months of delivery. Several studies have suggested that certain factors may increase the risk of postpartum relapse, including unwanted pregnancy, multiparity, and stressful life events. Two recent studies indicate that postpartum depressive symptoms may also increase the risk of smoking relapse after delivery.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:23:58-04:00May 19th, 2009|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Postpartum Depression in Men Linked to Psychiatric Illness in Their Children

While many studies have looked at the impact of postpartum depression in mothers on their children, there is very limited data on postnatal depression in the fathers and the potential impact it may have on their children.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T13:27:52-04:00May 26th, 2008|Child Outcomes, Outcomes, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Prevention of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a relatively common problem, affecting between 10% and 15% of women after delivery. Although it is difficult to reliably predict which women in the general population will experience postpartum mood disturbance, it is possible to identify certain subgroups of women who are more vulnerable to postpartum affective illness. Women who have had one episode of postpartum depression have about a 50% chance of experiencing another episode of PPD after a subsequent pregnancy. The extent to which a history of depression (prior to pregnancy) influences risk is less clear, but some studies indicate that between 30% and 50% will suffer from recurrent depression during the postpartum period. Several investigators have recently explored the potential efficacy of prophylactic interventions in these populations of women at risk.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-07T22:57:38-04:00July 20th, 2004|Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevention|Comments Off