As postpartum depression (PPD) awareness becomes more prevalent across the globe, 2 United States Senators are taking steps to increase PPD education and treatment.
The Mom's Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, better known as the MOTHERS Act, was established by Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Richard Durbin (IL) after State Senate President Richard Codey introduced a state bill to screen and educate expectant mothers about postpartum depression. The bill was recently passed making New Jersey the only state currently to have such a law. The State Senate President's wife, Mary Jo Codey, is also a PPD advocate who met with us for an interview about her personal struggle with the disease.
In conjunction with the Melanie Stokes Act, it is the hope of the government and advocates around the country that the MOTHERS Act will help to blaze a trail in the prevention, treatment, and research into the causes of PPD.
Under the MOTHERS Act there are 2 grants awarded to help health care providers educate, identify, and treat PPD. Licensed health care providers such as physicians, registered nurses, and midwives are able to educate new parents about PPD and screen for symptoms before they leave the hospital and provide follow-up services. It will also further research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of PPD. The award also grants state and local governments, public and nonprofit hospitals, and community-based organizations the ability to provide much needed services to those suffering from PPD and postpartum psychosis. It allows more involved intervention to perinatal and postpartum women who may be afflicted by mood disorders.
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Validation of the Thai Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for screening postpartum depression.
Pitanupong J, Liabsuetrakul T, Vittayanont A.
Psychiatry Res. 2007 Jan 15;149(1-3):253-9. Epub 2006 Nov 7.
This study aimed to validate and determine an appropriate cut-off score on the Thai Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as a screen for postpartum depression.
Prenatal cocaine use and maternal depression: Effects on infant neurobehavior.
Salisbury AL, Lester BM, Seifer R, Lagasse L, Bauer CR, Shankaran S, Bada H, Wright L, Liu J, Poole K.
Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2006 Dec 14; [Epub ahead of print]
Postpartum maternal depression has negative effects on infant neurobehavior at 1 month of age. Prenatal cocaine exposure may serve to suppress or buffer the effects of postpartum depression on infant neurobehavior. Maternal mood could explain some of the inconsistencies found in the prenatal cocaine exposure literature.
From antepartum to postpartum: a prospective study on the prevalence of peripartum depression in a semiurban Turkish community.
Gulseren L, Erol A, Gulseren S, Kuey L, Kilic B, Ergor G.
J Reprod Med. 2006 Dec;51(12):955-60.
To examine the prevalence of depression in the last trimester of pregnancy and within the first 6 months postpartum, to determine whether there is an association between antepartum and postpartum depression and to investigate the risk factors prospectively in a cohort of Turkish women.
InTheNews
Magnetic brain stimulation may help women with postpartum depression
ksdk.com, February 1, 2007
Local doctors may be on the verge of a breakthrough by using magnets to stimulate the brains of moms who are depressed after giving birth.
Blue after baby?: PPD awareness campaign starts this week
FortWayne.Com, January 30, 2007
A local coalition in Fort Wayne, Indiana has developed an awareness and education campaign from the Indiana Perinatal Network, a consortium working to improve the health of pregnant women.
Effects of postpartum depression in both mothers and fathers
PregnancyandBaby.com, January 25, 2007
Approximately 14% of mothers and 10% of fathers suffer from moderate or severe postpartum depression resulting in undesirable parenting practices and limited parent-infant interaction.
CAN/APP District IX Section on Perinatal Pediatrics 13th Annual Conference
When: March 2 - March 4
Where: Coronado Island Marriot Resort San Diego, CA Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics
When: March 7 - 10
Where: The Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT
Perinatal Mood Disorder Conference Certificate of Completion Course
When: March 8 - March 9
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
ACOOG 74th Annual Conference
When: March 27 - 31
Where: LaQuinta Resort, Palm Springs, CA
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Marcé Society
The principal aim of the society is to promote, facilitate and communicate about research into all aspects of the mental health of women, their infants, and their partners around the time of childbirth.
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