Dear Colleague,
The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority but faces a tougher struggle in the Senate, where it currently awaits markup by the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee. But the current battle over the MOTHERS ACT is being waged online, between proponents of the bill and the misinformed few who believe the Act is a Trojan horse full of pills sent by Big Pharma. Google MOTHERS Act and you'll get an idea of which side is shouting louder: "MOTHERS Act Seeks to Drug Expectant Mothers with Antidepressants," "Mothers Act Fuels Multibillion Dollar Industry," "Branding Pregnancy as Mental Illness." The shouters are few in number but extremely vocal and hard at work lobbying our senators to vote against the bill. It's imperative that everyone who wants to see greater awareness of PPD and more money allocated to research, education, and treatments call or write their Senator today. Now is our chance to shine a light on an illness that keeps so many women and their families in the dark.
Let your voice heard above the fray:
- Women's reproductive health expert Susan Dowd Stone's Web site has a growing list of names of supporters. These lists of constituents will be presented to our senators around Mother's Day. To add your name to the list, write to susanstonelcsw@aol.com and include your name, state, and any affiliations or credentials.
- Contact any or all of the senators on the HELP committee and encourage them to support the bill, and contact your own senator to let them know how you feel about the importance of continued research on PPD and ensuring women's access to information and services.
Medical
Updates
Universal screening for postpartum depression: an inquiry into provider attitudes and practice.
Delatte R, Cao H, Meltzer-Brody S, Menard MK.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 May;200(5):e63-4.
This study examined obstetricians' use of and attitude toward the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to screen for PPD.
Effectiveness of a discharge education program in reducing the severity of postpartum depression. A randomized controlled evaluation study.
Ho SM, Heh SS, Jevitt CM, Huang LH, Fu YY, Wang LL.
Patient Educ Couns. 2009 Apr 17. [Epub ahead of print]
This randomized controlled study found that women who received discharge education intervention on postnatal depression were less likely to have high depression scores when compared to the control group at three months postpartum.
Is difficult childbirth related to postpartum maternal outcomes in the early postpartum period?
Hunker DF, Patrick TE, Albrecht SA, Wisner KL.
Arch Womens Ment Health. 2009 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of adverse events in labor or delivery and depressive symptoms, functional status and infant care at 2-weeks postpartum.
View More»
In
The
News
Taking the edge off of postpartum depression
Canada.com, April 24, 2009
Postpartum doulas can help moms cope with new responsibilities and provide emotional support during the weeks and months after childbirth.
Bloggers find supportive community
Straight.com, April 23, 2009
Moms with PPD are growing a community online by blogging about their experiences and supporting others who have been there.
Understanding Male Post-Partum Depression
Newsweek.com, April 7, 2009
Dr. Will Courtenay talks about the signs, causes, and treatment of male postpartum depression.
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Events
Calendar
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care
When: May 7-8
Where: Bethesda, MD
Second International Conference for Individualized Pharmacotherapy in Pregnancy
When: May 20-21
Where: Indianapolis, IN
2nd Annual Sounds of Silence, Friends of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York Charity Event 5k run/walk/stroller walk
When: May 9
Where: Jones Beach, Wantagh, Long Island
Med
Ed
Resources
The Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Foundation
The Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Foundation is an organization dedicated to educating, recognizing, researching and de-stigmatizing women's mental health complications associated with childbearing, particularly postpartum depression.
Postpartum Progress
Promoting progress in treatment and comfort among sufferers of postpartum mood disorders, this blog is written by a woman diagnosed with postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder after the birth of her son.
Postpartum Support International: Chat With an Expert
Every Wednesday (for women) and Monday (for men), up to 15 callers can chat with an expert facilitator and one another about coping, or helping a loved one cope, with PPD.
This
Month's
Poll
To participate in this month's poll click HERE.
Spread
The
Word
Click here to tell a colleague.
MedEdPPD.org
Newsletter
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