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.

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In Focus

Events Calendar: May 2008

Effects of Maternal Depression
When: MAY 1
Where: MediSpin Inc.

American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting
When: MAY 3 - MAY 8
Where: Washington, DC

ACOG's 2008 Annual Clinical Meeting
When: MAY 3 - MAY 7
Where: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

» Click here to view more.

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.

Download:
» English Version | » Spanish Version

Medical Updates

A Postpartum Model in Rat: Behavioral and Gene Expression Changes Induced by Ovarian Steroid Deprivation.
Suda S, Segi-Nishida E, Newton SS, Duman RS.
Biol Psychiatry. 2008 May 7 [Epub ahead of print]
This study examined the behavioral effects of ovarian hormone withdrawal on rats, which mimicked the effects of human maternal pregnancy and postpartum hormone levels.

A case study of postpartum depression & altered maternal-newborn attachment.
Zauderer CR.
MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2008 May-Jun;33(3):173-8.
Case study of a new mother experiencing postpartum depression and an altered attachment to her newborn.

Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress.
Leigh B, Milgrom J.
BMC Psychiatry. 2008 Apr 16;8(1):24
The study aimed to identify risk factors for antenatal depression, postpartum depression, and parenting stress and to examine the relationship between them.

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In The News

Medical Research Studies Struggle to Recruit Women
Newswise.com, May 14, 2008
A decline in the number of women who are participating in clinical studies, including PPD trials, has medical researchers concerned.

There is no such thing as the perfect mother
The Star.co.za, May 9, 2008
Writer Anne Karpf reflects on the expectations mothers have for themselves and the ambivalence they commonly feel toward their children.

Depressed fathers 'hit learning'
BBC.co.uk, May 10, 2008
A new study suggests that children whose fathers had postpartum depression have smaller vocabularies at age 2 than children of well fathers.

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Emergency Assessment

What is a postpartum psychiatric emergency?

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First Thursday

Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:00AM EDT
Partners of Depressed Women

Faculty: Robin Kopelman MD, MPH
Assistant Professor

Department of Psychiatry,
University of Iowa

This presentation addresses partners of depressed postpartum women, focusing on the partners' experience, adjustment, and their own mental health. In addition, treatment and the role of the partner in children's outcomes will be discussed.

» Click here for more information.

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.

We Need Your Help Now!

We Must Speak Out in Full Support of Postpartum Depression (PPD) Legislation NOW.

Click here to Connect and be Counted!

You may have heard the complaints on the internet lately; asking readers to block passage of legislation to help new mothers and their families cope with postpartum depression. The House and Senate both have legislation - H.R. 20 and S. 1375 - that some mistakenly believe is a conspiracy to push new mothers to take medication.

Tell that to the more than 800,000 women who will develop a diagnosable postpartum mood disorder this year! This does not include the 7.5% of women who will develop major depression during pregnancy.

How disappointing! Those who are speaking out against the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act obviously know little to nothing about this legislation. Some are even saying that Melanie Blocker-Stokes, who took her own life after suffering this illness, was simply just sad. This could not be farther from the truth! Ask her mother, Carol Blocker, who has dedicated her life to the passage of this protective legislation named in honor of her daughter.

This legislation does NOT recommend drugs, require drugs, or endorse drugs. What it does is:

Encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to expand the research into the causes of postpartum conditions and find treatments.
Establish a national public awareness campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of PPD and psychosis.
Make grants available for programs that develop and offer essential services to women with PPD.

Even if you have already done so, please take the time to let your representatives in Washington know that you support this vital legislation. Help counter the misinformation they are currently receiving!

Click here to Connect and Be Counted!

One Person Can Make a Difference.

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Last Updated: 5/15/2008 12:44:18 PM