Dear Colleague,
A study recently published in the British Medical Journal found that women at risk for PPD who received a telephone counseling intervention from moms who had recovered from PPD were half as likely as women in the control group to develop PPD. Support from family and friends is essential for every new mom, but women with PPD may be reluctant to share their negative feelings with loved ones. To help provide that support, Postpartum Support International hosts "Wednesday Chats With PSI," where up to 15 callers can chat with an expert facilitator and one another about coping, or helping a loved one cope, with PPD. For more information please visit, http://postpartum.net/info-sessions
Elsewhere online, the community of moms helping moms has been growing. Some offer discussion forums and chat rooms where moms can ask for and offer support to one another (Online PPD Support Group) and some are blogs that are dedicated to news and updates on all things PPD (Postpartum Progress, Beyond Postpartum). Many of the so-called "mommyblogs" are written by moms who have or have had PPD and lived to blog about it (Dooce, Mom Squawk). We've begun to compile these sites on MedEdPPD's new "Blogs and Support Groups" resources page.
MOTHERS Act Redux
The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act was reintroduced to the new 111th Congress on January 6th. The bill is sponsored by representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) and 12 co-sponsors. Last year the bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 382-3 but died in the Senate before it could come up for a vote after it was sent as part of a package (The Advancing America's Priorities Act). The bill has been submitted on its own this time and is currently with the House Energy and Commerce committee before it proceeds to a vote in the House of Representatives. To keep your eye on it visit http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-20.
Medical
Updates
Screening for maternal depression in the neonatal ICU.
Mounts KO.
Clin Perinatol. 2009 Mar;36(1):137-52.
Screening for PPD in the neonatal ICU could identify women who have depressive symptoms and facilitate their referral for follow-up services.
Effect of peer support on prevention of postnatal depression among high risk women: multisite randomised controlled trial.
Dennis CL, Hodnett E, Kenton L, Weston J, Zupancic J, Stewart DE, Kiss A.
BMJ. 2009 Jan 15;338:a3064.
Telephone-based support between moms who had previously experienced PPD and new mothers with current PPD was found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the new moms.
Postpartum depression and help-seeking behavior.
McGarry J, Kim H, Sheng X, Egger M, Baksh L.
J Midwifery Womens Health. 2009 Jan-Feb;54(1):50-6.
This study attempted to determine demographic differences between women who report PPD symptoms but do not seek help and those who do.
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In
The
News
Young Women Best at Spotting Cute Babies
Live Science.com, January 21, 2009
Scottish researchers found that pre-menopausal were able to detect small differences in cuteness better than older women, suggesting that hormone differences in women with PPD may lead to an impaired ability to see cuteness in their babies.
ABC television network's Private Practice series supports Postpartum Depression Awareness
Perinatal Pro.com, January 28, 2008
On February 12th, the ABC series "Private Practice" will air an episode with a storyline on postpartum depression. Postpartum Support International consulted with ABC in the creation of a public service announcement that will be available on ABC's website after the show.
Caring Counseling May Ease Postpartum Depression
Washington Post.com, January 16, 2009
Peer support and professional counseling has been shown to be effective in treating and preventing depression in women who have or are at risk for PPD.
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Events
Calendar
35th Annual Meeting for the North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology
When: February 4-7
Where: New Haven, CT
Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders: Current Status of a Public Health Crisis
When: February 5
Where: White Plains, NY
34th Annual Perinatal Nursing Conference: The State of Healthcare for Mothers and Babies in 2009
When: February 25-27
Where: Oak Brook, IL
Med
Ed
Resources
Beyond Postpartum
An Atlanta mom shares her personal experience with postpartum depression and links to articles, blogs, and other media that focus on PPD.
Women's Behavioral HealthCARE
Women's Behavioral HealthCARE is an intellectual and strategic leader in Women's Behavioral Health, offering gender-based medicine and advocacy for women, their families, and communities.
National Guideline Clearinghouse
The National Guideline Clearinghouse is a comprehensive database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and related documents.
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