19.13 Peripartum Depression
Mental health conditions are common complications in pregnancy and an underlying cause for approximately 9% of pregnancy-related deaths. Postpartum depression is associated with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation, poorer maternal and infant bonding, and increased likelihood of infants showing developmental delays. Left untreated, postpartum depression can adversely affect the mother’s health and might cause sleeping, eating, and behavioral problems for the infant.[1]
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all adults be screened for depression, including pregnant and postpartum women, and referrals made for clients at increased risk to counseling interventions. ACOG recommends that obstetric care providers screen clients for depression and anxiety symptoms at least once during the perinatal period and also conduct a full assessment of mood and emotional well-being during the comprehensive postpartum visit.[2]
Read more about assessing and treating postpartum depression in the “Postpartum Complications” section of the “Postpartum Care” chapter.
Read more about antidepressants and other medications used to treat depression in the “Psychotropic Medications” section of the “Mental Health Conditions” chapter.
- Bauman, B. L., Ko, J. Y., Cox, S., D’Angelo, D. V., Warner, L., Folger, S., Tevendale, H. D., Coy, K. C., Harrison, L., & Barfield, W. D. (2020). Vital signs: Postpartum depressive symptoms and provider discussions about perinatal depression — United States, 2018. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(19), 575–581. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6919a2 ↵
- Bauman, B. L., Ko, J. Y., Cox, S., D’Angelo, D. V., Warner, L., Folger, S., Tevendale, H. D., Coy, K. C., Harrison, L., & Barfield, W. D. (2020). Vital signs: Postpartum depressive symptoms and provider discussions about perinatal depression — United States, 2018. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(19), 575–581. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6919a2 ↵
