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.
New Educational Activity for Perinatal Depression Screening:
Adapted from a live, full day, interactive training program based on a comprehensive depression management model developed by Dr. Laura Miller. This activity was conducted in partnership with MedEdPPD on June 4, 2010 by Dr. Katherine Wisner at Women’s Behavioral HealthCARE, Pittsburgh, PA. Each interactive steps of the model are presented and discussed by a panel of faculty consultants and recognized leaders in the field. The educational activity has been made available through the generous support provided by the Staunton Farm Foundation.
Topics include:
- Perinatal Depression: Detection and Screening;
- Screening for and Diagnosis of Perinatal Disorders;
- Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Engagement for Low Income Populations;
- Iterative Steps in a Comprehensive Program Model: Program & Treatment Overviews;
- Symptom Improvement; Improved Outcomes for Perinatal Depression.
Free One Hour of CME
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
MAJOR INITIATIVE TO COMBAT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SIGNED INTO LAW AS PART OF HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM
MOTHERS Act, sponsored by Sen. Menendez, will establish support, educational and research programs
"Millions of mothers nationwide who are suffering or will suffer from postpartum depression are among the winners as a result of the new health insurance reform law," said Senator Menendez. "These women understand that postpartum depression is serious and disabling, and that the support structure to help prepare for and overcome it is has been woefully insufficient."
"Finally, women all over the country are going to have access to the kinds of support services and information that women in New Jersey have had for a number of years," said Mary Jo Codey, former First Lady of New Jersey and leading advocate in the fight against postpartum depression.
To read more about The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, click here.
Events Calendar
Medical Updates
In the News
Events Calendar: September 2010
Infertility and Pregnancy Loss: Getting Your Patients the Emotional Help They NeedWhen: SEPTEMBER 25
Where: La Jolla, CA
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses 2010 Convention
When: SEPTEMBER 25 - SEPTEMBER 29
Where: Las Vegas, NV
» Click here to view more.
Medical Updates
Unipolar depression during pregnancy: nonpharmacologic treatment options.Tjoa C, Pare E, Kim DR.
Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2010 Jul;6(4):565-76.
Depression during pregnancy can negatively affect maternal and fetal health.
Personality traits assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) as part of the perinatal depression screening program.
Podolska MZ, Bidzan M, Majkowicz M, Podolski J, Sipak-Szmigiel O, Ronin-Walknowska E.
Med Sci Monit. 2010 Aug 7;16(9):PH77-81.
As pre- and postnatal depression is a multifactorial disorder, the screening programmes which are currently in use in obstetric clinics remain problematic due to their inadequate standardization and limited efficacy.
Preconception Planning to Reduce the Risk of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Disorders.
Orit Avni-Barron; Kelly Hoagland; Christina Ford; Laura J Miller
Expert Rev of Obstet Gynecol. 2010;5(4):421-435.
Women who have depressive and anxiety disorders are at a high risk for recurrence or exacerbation of their psychiatric symptoms during pregnancy and/or postpartum.
» Click here to view more.
In the News
Sad mothers may have small babiesUPI.com
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Researchers in Sweden and Bangladesh have linked depression and anxiety during pregnancy to low birth weight.
Mass. Senate OKs postpartum depression legislation
Boston.com
BOSTON—The Massachusetts Senate has given final approval to a bill designed to help new mothers struggling with postpartum depression.
Rally, walk to support depression awareness
The Brazil Times
TERRE HAUTE -- Terre Haute leaders and the community will gather Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 3:30 p.m., at Fairbanks Park to rally in support of The Walk to Washington.
» Click here to view more.
The Provider Search Directory can help you find a healthcare provider in your area trained in recognizing and treating postpartum depression.
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: 9/1/2010 1:55:24 PM
Last Updated: 9/1/2010 1:55:24 PM