TRENDING Medical education topic: Postpartum Depression

Tremendous hormonal, physical, psychological, and emotional changes occur in a female during pregnancy, and childbirth is a difficult and exhausting process. Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy, the postpartum period, or both and can be difficult to recognize. It is estimated that 10 to 20% of women experience some form of perinatal depression. After childbirth, a mother can experience several weeks of feeling sad or teary, which is referred to as “baby blues.” Baby blues affects up to 80% of mothers and usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks. However, around 1 in 7 women can develop postpartum depression (PPD), which is more severe and lasts longer than baby blues. PPD can affect the mother and her relationship with the infant.

This topic has been in the news again recently, and the numbers show why it deserves attention. CDC data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System found that 13.2% of women with a recent live birth reported postpartum depressive symptoms, with rates varying by state from 9.7% in Illinois to 23.5% in Mississippi. Rates were above 20% among women aged 19 and younger, American Indian and Alaska Native women, and women with a history of depression or intimate partner violence. Maternal mental health conditions, including suicide and overdose, are now the leading cause of pregnancy-related death, and more than 60% of those deaths occur between 43 and 365 days after delivery. Screening opportunities are still being missed. About 1 in 5 pregnant women were not asked about depression at a prenatal visit, and about 1 in 8 were not asked at a postpartum visit.

Perinatal depression can be treated with counseling, medication, and newer rapid-acting therapies, and professional guidance in this area continues to evolve. It is important for healthcare professionals to screen pregnant and postpartum women and know the resources and treatment options available.

Clinicians should also have this information handy to share with patients. The HRSA National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), is free, confidential, and available 24/7 by call or text in English and Spanish, with interpreters in more than 60 languages. TTY users can dial 711, then 1-833-852-6262.

Proposed Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, the learners will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology of depression in pregnancy and the postpartum period
• Apply validated screening tools to assess for depression in this population
• Counsel women regarding appropriate treatment of depression around the time of pregnancy and breastfeeding and the associated risks and benefits
• Identify any differences in the prevalence of depression based on maternal age
• Differentiate baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis, and describe an appropriate emergency response

If your medical staff needs an update on the management of postpartum depression, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 714-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

References:

https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/postpartum-depression

https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression

https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/5/273

ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 5. Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141(6):1262. CDC. Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression. MMWR. 2020;69(19).

HRSA. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline