Tag Archives: postpartum depression

MOTHERS Act Legislation Faces Opposition

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act — named for an Illinois woman who committed suicide three months after giving birth — was approved by the House of Representatives in October. This article from the North Jersey Record reports that the legislation has been held up in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.
Opposition [...]

Postnatal depression in men links 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.
Researchers at the University of Oxford recently examined predictors of postnatal depression in the fathers and studied the link [...]

Show Your Support for Postpartum Depression Legislation

Please sign this online petition to support passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. A companion bill passed in the House of Representatives last fall to a nearly unanimous bipartisan vote. Democratic Senators Obama and Clinton both support this legislation along with Republican Senators including Olympia Snowe of Maine. Please help us gain our [...]

22nd Annual Postpartum Support International Conference

The 22nd Annual Postpartum Support International (PSI) Conference will be held in Houston, TX from June 4 through June 7, 2008. The theme of this year’s conference is “Maternal Health, a Multisystemic View.” One of the featured speakers is Valerie Plame, former CIA agent and author of “Fair Game: My Life as [...]

Obesity Linked to Postpartum Depression Risk

Previous studies have linked postpartum depression (PPD) to numerous risk factors, including depression during pregnancy, a history of depression prior to pregnancy, as well as marital problems, recent stressful events, and inadequate social supports.
Research conducted at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City now suggests that obesity may place women at increased risk of [...]

Depression is More Common in Women with High Risk Pregnancies

Epidemiologic studies suggest that about 10% to 15% of women suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of depression among women with high risk pregnancies. A recent study published online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggests that this population may be at significant risk for [...]

Can Estrogen Be Used to Treat Posptartum Depression?

After delivery, women experience a dramatic drop in estrogen hormone levels. Many have hypothesized that this decline in estrogen levels may precipitate postpartum depression (PPD) in susceptible individuals, and several studies have explored the use of estrogen for the treatment of depression after delivery.
In a double blind, placebo-controlled study including 61 women with PPD, [...]

Support the MOTHERS Act by Calling Your Senator

BlogHer, Postpartum Support International (PSI), and Postpartum Progress are joining forces and asking that you take action to help the MOTHERS Act advance to the Senate floor with the support of as many Senators as possible.
What is the MOTHERS Act?
The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, or [...]

Can Women Suffer from Postpartum Depression After Miscarriage?

After the birth of a child, it is common for women to experience some type of mood disturbance. Typically, it is relatively mild (postpartum blues). However, about 10-15% of women experience a more severe and disabling illness, postpartum depression. It has been suggested that women who develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to the [...]

Postpartum Depression: Who is at Risk?

Many women imagine new motherhood as a time of total fulfillment, days filled with mother-infant bonding and boundless joy. In reality, however, many women experience significant mood changes following childbirth. Between 50 and 85% of new mothers experience a brief postpartum period of tearfulness and anxiety, termed the “maternity blues.” But some 10 to 15% [...]

Paroxetine and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Non-pharmacologic interventions, including interpersonal psychotherapy, have been shown to be effective for the treatment of PPD. In addition, several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine (Effexor). In [...]

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 [...]

Is St. John’s Wort Safe in Breastfeeding Women?

Postpartum depression is a relatively common event, affecting 10 to 15% of women after the birth of a child. Many women, however, do not receive treatment, and one of the most common reasons for avoiding or deferring treatment is concern regarding the use of medications while breastfeeding. A preliminary study from Lee and colleagues at [...]

Venlafaxine for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is relatively common, occurring in about 10 to 15% of women after delivery. Several reports have documented the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine for the treatment of this disorder. In a recent report, Cohen and colleagues have demonstrated the efficacy of venlafaxine for the treatment of [...]