What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
Postpartum depression, or PPD, is a type of depression that affects women after they give birth. About 13% of women experience PPD in the first year after childbirth, and it can develop any time up to a year after the baby is born. Postpartum depression has deleterious effects on a woman's relationships, her functional status, and her ability to care for her infant. The reduction of PPD is a US priority healthcare need and a major public health concern.Read About Us or view a brief self-running Multimedia Demo.
In Focus
Patient Brochure
Our patient brochure, which is available in PDF format in both English and Spanish, has helpful information about the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, and what mothers can do if they need help. Feel free to download or print them out, and share them with friends and family. This brochure was developed with the support of NIMH and is available as a free resource to download, print, and distribute for noncommercial use. The brochure must be used as is; no changes may be made to the copy or design.
Order these brochures for your practice!
Want to have your practice information added to them? Now you can! Click for more information.Download:
» English Version | » Spanish Version
First Thursday
During our First Thursday teleconference series our expert faculty presented on PPD topics ranging from the latest in
screening and treatment methods to the epidemiology of postpartum psychosis. You can view these archived presentations
online or download them as podcasts or vodcasts and listen at your convenience.
» Click here for more information.
Legislation News
MOTHERS Act Closer to Final Passage
WASHINGTON - Thanks to the efforts of Senator Robert Menendez and other postpartum mental health champions in the Senate, the MOTHERS Act is nearly a reality.The MOTHERS Act provisions are now included as section 2952 in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed by the Senate on 12/24/09. Advocates for postpartum depression research, funding, and support from both the House and the Senate must now work to ensure that the postpartum provisions remain in the final, combined bill that the entirety of Congress will vote on this spring.
"We gained significant support for this effort to combat postpartum depression over the last two years, which makes me optimistic that we will be able to deliver this gift to new mothers," said Senator Menendez. "Increasingly, my colleagues in the Senate are learning about the vicious, debilitating nature of postpartum depression and how it affects families, and they understand why this initiative is so important. We have to attack postpartum depression on all fronts - with education, support, and research - so that new moms can feel supported and safe rather than scared and alone."
- Encouraging Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions.
- Encouraging a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
- Requiring the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
- Creating a grant program to public or nonprofit private entities to deliver or enhance outpatient, inpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions. Activities may also include providing education about postpartum conditions to new mothers and their families, including symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources, in order to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Let your voice be heard. Contact your senator today and encourage them to support this bill.
The Provider Search Directory can help you find a healthcare provider in your area trained in recognizing and treating postpartum depression.
Events Calendar
Medical Updates
In the News
Events Calendar: February 2010
North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology 36th Annual MeetingWhen: FEBRUARY 10 - FEBRUARY 13
Where: Richmond, VA
35th Annual Perinatal Nursing Conference: Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies 2010
When: FEBRUARY 11 - FEBRUARY 12
Where: Oak Brook, IL
» Click here to view more.
Medical Updates
Role of omega-3 Fatty acids for prevention or treatment of perinatal depression.Borja-Hart NL, Marino J.
Pharmacotherapy. 2010 Feb;30(2):210-6.
This data analysis looked at seven clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention or treatment of perinatal depression.
Stability and change in levels of depression and personality: a follow-up study of postpartum depressed mothers that were hospitalized in a mother-infant unit.
Vliegen N, Luyten P, Besser A, Casalin S, Kempke S, Tang E.
J Nerv Ment Dis. 2010 Jan;198(1):45-51.
This prospective longitudinal study investigated the role of the personality dimensions of dependency and self-criticism in a sample of inpatient severely postpartum depressed mothers.
Changes in antidepressant metabolism in pregnancy evidenced by metabolic ratios in hair: A novel approach.
O'Brien L, Baumer C, Thieme D, Sachs H, Koren G.
Forensic Sci Int. 2010 Jan 7. [Epub ahead of print]
For pregnant women, physiological changes of pregnancy may alter the pharmacokinetics of medications and ultimately affect the dose required to maintain effective therapy. Testing human hair is a safe, non-invasive way to monitor long term systemic exposures to medications.
» Click here to view more.
In the News
Antidepressants May Complicate Breast-FeedingBusiness Week, January 27, 2010
Researchers found that women who take SSRIs may take longer to establish a full milk supply.
Yes to postpartum screening
Boston Globe, February 1, 2010
The Boston Globe is endorsing a state bill that would mandate postpartum depression screening for new mothers.
University of Minnesota researchers looking for new moms in the Twin Cities metro area for study of peer support for PPD.
MedEdPPD.org
The University of Minnesota is currently recruiting new mothers from the Minnesota/St. Paul area for a study that looks at the benefit of peer support for postpartum depressive symptoms. Please click here to learn more.
» Click here to view more.
FREE Monthly eZine
Don't have time to go online
to search for the most recent updates? Sign up for our FREE monthly MedEd PPD eZine - our 1-page
summary E-mail.
The MedEd PPD eZine will keep you up-to-date on what's new and relevant.
» To access previous newsletters, click here.
Books
Check out our list of important books on postpartum depression and related disorders.
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Last Updated: 2/8/2010 10:00:03 AM
Last Updated: 2/8/2010 10:00:03 AM