In The News

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• Sad mothers may have small babies
  UPI.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.
• Defending mothers who kill
  Salon.com
  How should the justice system handle mothers who kill their babies?
• Bryce Dallas Howard Opens Up About Postpartum Depression ‎
  People.com, July 22, 2010
  The Twilight actress reveals that she suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her son.
• Canadian study: Skin-to-skin cuddles beneficial for new moms
  National Post, July 9, 2010
  A study found that mothers who held their infants skin-to-skin for several hours a day reported an increase in positive maternal feelings and suffered less postpartum depression than women who did not employ this technique.
• Perfectionists At Risk for Postpartum Blues
  Chicagopressrelease.com - Wednesday, July 7, 2010
  New mothers who think they should be perfect parents might be at risk for postpartum depression, a new study suggests.
• Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Announces Innovative International Partnership Focused on Maternal Child Health
  Empowher.com, June 30, 2010
  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a partnership between the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) and the Healthy Russia Foundation to launch text4baby, a nationwide free mobile information service that promotes maternal and child health among women, internationally.
• Dads' hormones change, too, during pregnancy
  USA Today, June 14, 2010
  Men's cortisol levels rise about four to six weeks after men learn they're going to be fathers, and testosterone levels fall just before their baby is born.
• New Issue Brief on Maternal Depression
  NIHCM News
  NIHCM Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a new Issue Brief, Identifying & Treating Maternal Depression: Strategies & Considerations for Health Plans.
• Top Scientists Call On FDA To Update Advice About Eating Fish For Pregnant Women
  AboutSeafood.com
  May 28, Washington, D.C. – Two of the world’s top experts on brain health are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its 2004 advice on fish and pregnancy because it is out of date and may be “inadvertently causing harm.”
• Law gives $3 million to educate, research post-partum depression
  Chicago Tribune, May 21, 2010
  After nine years of working tirelessly to raise awareness of postpartum depression and psychosis, the bill known as "Melanie's law" was quietly passed in Congress. The law is named after Blocker's daughter, Melanie Stokes, who committed suicide in 2001, three months after giving birth to her daughter.
• Dads get postpartum depression, too
  CNN May 18, 2010
  (CNN) -- Matthew and his wife were excited about the birth of their daughter in January 2008, and the proud father took a month off of work to spend time with his spouse and child.
• Dads Get Postpartum Depression Too
  ABC News, May 18, 2010
  Study Finds a Significant Number of Fathers Experience Postpartum Depression - When the depression hit after the birth of his first child, Joel Schwartzberg said he didn't believe anyone had a name for what he was going through.
• This Year, One Extra Mother's Day Gift
  Huffington Post, May 7, 2010
  Just in time for Mother's Day, Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) hosted a press conference to celebrate the passage of the Mother's Act.
• Rosalynn Carter pens new book about mental health
  physorg.com - May 3, 2010
  The former first lady writes about the stigma attached to mental health and the state of mental health care in the United States in her new book, "Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis."
• Maternal Depression Eased With Brief Treatment
  Psych Central, May 1, 2010
  On-site screening with their child's pediatrician can identify may women with postpartum depression, and a brief course of cognitive behavior therapy may help disadvantaged women more than conventional social services.
• In Sleepless Nights, a Hope for Treating Depression
  New York Times.com, April 7, 2010
  Could sleep deprivation actually relieve depression?
• Postpartum depression: Health bill helps mothers in crisis
  New Jersey Star Ledger, March 28, 2010
  New Jerseyans who long fought for PPD legislation are applauding the passage of the health care bill.
• Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Becomes Law With Passage of Healthcare Reform
  Postpartum Progress, March 21, 2010
  The long battle for postpartum depression legislation is won with the historic passage of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act.
• New dads can get the baby blues too
  Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2010
  Paternal postpartum depression may affect as many as 25 percent of new dads.
• Depressed parents’ negative effects on kids are combatable
  Los Angeles Times, March 15, 2010
  A growing body of research shows that parental depression can have lasting consequences for children.
• Pregnancy: Some Depression Relief, Without Drugs
  New York Times, February 24, 2010
  A Stanford University study found that depression-specific acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms of depression in pregnant women compared with women who received regular acupuncture or massage.
• Low-Income Urban Mothers Have High Rate of Postpartum Depression
  Science Daily, February 20, 2010
  Researchers may need to consider adjusting the cut-off scores when using depression screening tools for low-income postpartum women.
• Few new moms seek postpartum help, though many should
  Chicago Tribune, February 12, 2010
  Despite increased awareness about PPD, most women continue to suffer alone.
• Postpartum Depression: Signaled During Pregnancy?
  Time, February 11, 2010
  Depression during pregnancy can be a sentinel for myriad problems, from preterm birth and miscarriage to an increased risk of negative behaviors in their children.
• Yes to postpartum screening
  Boston Globe, February 1, 2010
  The Boston Globe is endorsing a state bill that would mandate postpartum depression screening for new mothers.
• Antidepressants May Complicate Breast-Feeding
  Business Week, January 27, 2010
  Researchers found that women who take SSRIs may take longer to establish a full milk supply.
• University of Minnesota researchers looking for new moms in the Twin Cities metro area for study of peer support for PPD.
  MedEdPPD.org
  The University of Minnesota is currently recruiting new mothers from the Minnesota/St. Paul area for a study that looks at the benefit of peer support for postpartum depressive symptoms. Please click here to learn more.
• Acting Gov. Codey signs law creating Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in New Jersey
  New Jersey Newsroom.com, January 9, 2010
  October 20th is now Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in New Jersey. Senate president Richard Codey and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey of Essex County co-sponsored the resolution.
• Baby Blues--A Search beyond Neurons
  Psychology Today.com, December 27, 2009
  A new study investigating blood samples taken from women diagnosed with postpartum depression found that different genes were switched on in white blood cells from mothers with postpartum depression compared with blood cells from healthy new mothers.
• Mother's health vital to child's development
  Des Moines Register.com, December 16, 2009
  Iowa's 1st Five program is successfully identifying mothers and other caregivers who have depression and referring them for treatment and community services that can help entire families.
• Postpartum Depression Strikes Fathers, Too
  New York Times, December 7, 2009
  It's more than just stress; hormonal changes and living with a depressed partner can up the chances for postpartum depression in dads.
• Life After Baby: Some Fathers Suffer From Postpartum Depression
  Fox News.com, December 2, 2009
  The sudden responsibility of a newborn and the perceived loss of affection from their partner could result in anxiety or even serious depression for many new dads.
• Differentiating Bipolar Depression from Postpartum Depression
  Psychiatric Times.com, December 1, 2009
  Bipolar depression may often be mistaken for postpartum depression, leading to delays in treatment and recurrence of bipolar symptoms after subsequent deliveries.
• Why the Joy of Having of Baby Can Make a Woman Feel Depressed
  allAfrica.com, November 18, 2009
  This report from Rwanda shows how awareness of postpartum depression is growing in the central African country.
• Perinatal depression often goes untreated, study says
  Wisconsin State Journal, November 14, 2009
  A study by the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health found that more than 65 percent of depressed mothers don't get adequate treatment for depression. Black, Hispanic and other minority mothers were among the least likely to be helped, and women with health insurance were more than three times as likely to receive adequate care compared to uninsured mothers.
• New help for moms with postpartum depression
  CNN.com, November 10, 2009
  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has recently opened the country's first inpatient psychiatric unit for women suffering perinatal (prenatal and postpartum) mood disorders.
• Delivering Jewish Women from Postpartum Depression
  The Jewish Daily Forward, October 27, 2009
  A new book by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein and his wife, Michal Finkelstein, a certified nurse-midwife, looks at PPD from a Jewish perspective.
• How to beat postnatal insomnia
  London Times Online, October 18, 2009
  For some postpartum women, those initial sleepless nights can lead to a seemingly endless cycle of exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.
• Postpartum Support International Named Charity of the Month
  The Family Groove.com, October 2009
  The Web site "The Family Groove" has named PSI its October Charity of the Month. Wendy Davis, PhD, talks to Family Groove about PSI and postpartum depression.
• Depression Is a Dilemma for Women in Pregnancy
  New York Times, October 5, 2009
  To treat or not to treat? Women and their doctors must weigh the risks of antidepressant use against the risks of non-treatment for depression during pregnancy.
• Margaret Trudeau speaks in Regina at the Unmasking Postpartum Depression conference
  Regina Leader-Post, September 30, 2009
  Canada's former first lady delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Unmasking Postpartum Depression conference, describing her experience with PPD and her lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder.
• Antidepressants Linked to Heart Defects in Newborns
  Atlanta Journal Constitution, September 24, 2009
  Danish researchers found that septal heart defects were common among women taking antidepressants in the first trimester.
• Predicting Postpartum Depression May Be Possible
  US News and World Report, September 23, 2009
  Spanish researchers have devised a method that they claim can detect or predict up to 80% of PPD cases within a few weeks postpartum.
• Today's Health: Postpartum Depression
  msnbc.com, August 27, 2009
  WNBC-TV reporter Darlene Rodriguez talks with a woman who struggled with PPD with her first child, and Dr. Margaret Spinelli talks about how OB/GYNs and other health care providers can identify sufferers earlier.
• Physicians issue guidelines on antidepressants and pregnancy
  Newsday.com, August 21, 2009
  The American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have issued guidelines for treating pregnant women with depression, stressing talk therapy but stating that the risks of major depression or other major mental disorders are greater than the risks of using antidepressants in pregnancy.
• Coping with postpartum depression — for dads
  msnbc.com, August 13, 2009
  Sex therapist and relationship counselor Ian Kerner, PhD, describes some of the warning signs for PPD in men and his own experience with depression after the birth of his son.
• National Academy Urges Changes in Screening and Treatment of Depression
  Psychiatric Times.com, August 11, 2009
  A National Academy of Sciences advisory committee has made recommendations for depression care that include extending Medicaid coverage postpartum and expanding mental health care services for both women and their children.
• An Open Letter to Time Magazine About Postpartum Depression
  Postpartum Progress, July 13, 2009
  Katherine Stone, of the PPD blog Postpartum Progress, has written a response to the misinformation in a recent Time magazine article about the controversy surrounding the MOTHERS Act.
• Should All Mothers Be Screened for Postpartum Depression?
  Time.com, July 12, 2009
  Time magazine explores both sides of the MOTHERS Act debate.
• Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression In Postpartum Women
  Science Daily.com, July 2, 2009
  A new study suggests postpartum depression may further worsen quality of sleep in new moms, and poor sleep should be viewed as a symptom of PPD.
• Colic in babies may be linked to depression in dads
  USA Today, June 26, 2009
  Research has shown colic to be more prevalent among babies of depressed mothers, but could colic also be linked to depressed fathers?
• Health Watch: Postpartum Depression
  Fox News New York, June 19, 2009
  Fox 5 New York profiles a mother who describes her experience with PPD.
• Campaign focuses on postpartum depression
  Today's Sunbeam, June 19, 2009
  As part of the Speak Up When You're Down campaign, The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has produced an informational card listing signs of PPD and phone numbers to call for help.
• Good night's sleep may help prevent postpartum depression
  Guelph Mercury.com, May 25, 2009
  Canadian doctors believe sleep deprivation and resulting circadian rhythm disruption be a key factor in PPD.
• Of mice and mothering: Case Western Reserve University researchers find brain chemical serotonin may be an influence
  Cleveland Plain Dealer.com, May 17, 2009
  Research at CWRU has shown a possible connection between serotonin deprivation and neglectful mothering in mice.
• UNC offers nation's only inpatient care for postpartum depression
  WRAL.com, May 7, 2009
  The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's School of Medicine offers inpatient care for new mothers suffering from postpartum depression.
• Postpartum Depression Is Top Priority For New ACOG President
  Medical News Today.com
  The new president of the The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says postpartum depression will be the theme of his presidential initiative.
• Debra Lynn Gindorf: Quinn Commutes Sentence Of Postpartum Woman Who Killed Kids
  Huffington Post.com, May 2, 2009
  Illinois governor Patrick Quinn has commuted the sentence of Debra Lynn Gindorf, a mother who spent 24 years behind bars for killing her 2 children while suffering from postpartum psychosis.
• Getting to know Wade Bowen
  Postpartum Dads Project.org, April 30, 2009
  An interview with country singer Wade Bowen, who wrote a song about his wife's struggle with PPD.
• 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.
• Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Passes House
  Postpartum Progress, March 31, 2009
  On March 30, the US House of Representatives passed the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act by a vote of 391-8. A Senate vote is still to come. Postpartum Progress has links to more information about the bill and a petition to show your support for it.
• Bill would make postpartum disorder legal defense
  Houston Chronicle.com, March 24, 2009
  A bill introduced in the Texas legislature could make infanticide related to perinatal psychosis a defense punishable by no more than 2 years in jail. The bill would make Texas the first state with an infanticide law.
• Postpartum depression: More than baby blues
  ABC4.com
  A new law is under consideration in Washington that would create more awareness and funding for treatment of postpartum depression.
• As Economy Slips, New Mothers Cut Short Their Maternity Leave
  Wall Street Journal.com, March 11, 2009
  About 60% of women with young children are working, and that number is growing as job losses are increasing. With increased stress, postnatal anxiety could rise as well.
• Diabetic mothers at higher depression risk
  Boston Globe.com, February 25, 2009
  A Harvard study found that, compared with women without diabetes, women with diabetes were almost twice as likely to be depressed during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth.
• The new parent's dirty little secret
  Globe and Mail.com, February 24, 2009
  Sleeplessness (for both baby and parents) is known to contribute to postpartum depression. For some moms, following one's instinct about how to help everyone get some sleep means having to break the rules.
• Blood Test May Predict Postpartum Depression
  U.S. News and World Report, February 2, 2009
  A new study suggests that doctors can predict who will get PPD by measuring the levels of a certain hormone in pregnant women's blood.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mary Jo Codey talks about treating postpartum depression
  WABC-TV, December 28, 2008
  Former First Lady of NJ Mary Jo Codey appeared on WABC-TV to talk about postpartum depression and the MOTHERS ACT.
• Back to Life
  Working Mother.com, December 2008
  Depression can hit moms years after the birth of their children, particularly working moms.
• Is There a Gene for Postpartum Depression?
  Psychiatric Times.com, December 1, 2008
  This article discusses recent findings that suggest a molecular basis for postpartum depression.
• WebMD 2008 Health Heros
  WebMD.com, November 11, 2008
  The third annual WebMD Health Heroes Awards honor four Americans who face health issues with the vision and drive to inspire others to action.
• Postnatal depression 'in the genes'
  Guardian.co.uk, November 2, 2008
  A new study suggests that a recessive gene may be the cause of postpartum psychosis.
• Music Reduces Pregnancy Stress
  WebMd.com, October 8, 2008
  This study showed that pregnant Taiwanese women who listened to soothing music for 30 minutes daily for two weeks had reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, compared with participants who did not.
• Moms find support, information, "better perspective" in blogosphere
  Seattle Times.com, October 4, 2008
  Mothers are an increasing presence in the blogosphere, many of them moms who turned to blog-writing to cope with postpartum depression.
• Pregnant Women With Bulimia Have More Anxiety And Depression, Study Finds
  Science Daily.com, September 18, 2008
  A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that women who have bulimia in pregnancy have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than pregnant women without eating disorders.
• A brief history of baby killing
  National Post.com, August 25, 2008
  The case of a Canadian mother who killed her infant recalls the history of infanticide and postpartum depression in the ancient world.
• Likely Cause Of Postpartum Blues And Depression Identified
  Science Daily.com, August 7, 2008
  Researchers suspect that the placenta's regulation of serotonin could initiate an imbalance of interleukin-1 beta levels after childbirth and lead to postpartum depression.
• Birth Trauma: Stress Disorder Afflicts Moms
  Wall Street Journal.com, August 5, 2008
  A new survey suggests that post-traumatic-stress disorder brought on by complicated labor and delivery may be more common than previously believed.
• Possible Cause of Postpartum Depression Pinpointed
  Washington Post.com, July 30, 2008
  Researchers observed PPD-like symptoms in genetically engineered mice, possibly pointing to an explanation of postpartum mood disorders in humans.
• U.S. Senate Republicans say yes to "Dr. No"
  Reuters.com, July 28, 2008
  Democrats failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to pass the omnibus bill that included the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.
• Pennsylvania Takes the Lead on Depression & Pregnancy
  PR Newswire.com, July 28, 2008
  A coalition of maternal and child health care professionals is launching a 15-month groundbreaking initiative on pregnancy and depression.
• Breast-feeding DOES help mothers bond with babies
  Daily Mail.co.uk, July 18, 2008
  Large amounts of oxytocin, the "love hormone," are released when a woman breastfeeds, aiding mother-infant bonding. Scientists are studying the hormone as a possible cure for depression and anxiety.
• Dying To Be A Good Mom - Eating Disorders In Pregnancy
  Brainblogger.com, July 18, 2008
  Women who have a history of eating disorders may be at increased risk for postpartum depression as well as disordered eating during the perinatal period.
• Pregnancy Alone Not A Risk for Mental Health Problems
  Washington Post.com, July 7, 2008
  A study of over 14,000 women found that pregnancy alone is not associated with increased risk of common mental disorders. Younger age, lack of a partner, and pregnancy complications are, however, increased risk factors for psychiatric disorders.
• Postpartum depression may be next battle for teen moms
  NY Daily News.com, June 25, 2008
  Teens and women with less than 12 years of schooling may be at greater risk for postpartum depression.
• A 'drug drought' for pregnant women
  USA Today.com, June 3, 2008
  A scarcity of medications proven safe for pregnant women means doctors must prescribe older drugs, off-label medications, or even nothing for pregnant women with depression, pre-eclampsia, or other conditions that can be dangerous to mother or baby.
• Singing the post-adoption blues
  Haaretz.com, May 29, 2008
  A new mother describes her experience with depression after adopting her infant daughter, but experts don't agree on the causes of post-adoption blues.
• National postpartum illness screening effort stalls
  The Record.com, May 15, 2008
  The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act may be foundering in the Senate HELP committee due in part to an Oklahoma senator well-known for delaying legislation.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Depression Turns Off The Music In The Mother-Baby Dance
  Medical News Today.com, April 30, 2008
  A Canadian study showed that depressed mothers responded with greater anxiety and agitation to recordings of pain-type cries from newborns.
• Male postnatal depression affects child behaviour, study shows
  Guardian.co.uk, April 18, 2008
  A British study found that 7-year-olds whose fathers suffered from postpartum depression in the weeks after the their births were nearly twice as likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders than children whose fathers did not suffer from postpartum depression.
• Prevalence of Self-Reported Postpartum Depressive Symptoms
  Centers for Disease Control.gov, April 10, 2008
  Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control's state-specific PPD surveillance project, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), shows that younger women, those with less education, and those who received Medicaid benefits for delivery were at significant increased risk for postpartum depression.
• 'I was terrified I would never bond with my baby'
  Guardian.com, March 11, 2008
  First-time mother Helen Walsh had the usual fears during her pregnancy, but the one thing she never expected was to feel indifferent towards her baby.
• Depression Raised Risk of Subsequent Pregnancies Among Black Teen Moms
  Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 7, 2008
  Black American teen mothers who have depression symptoms may be more likely to become pregnant again within two years of giving birth, says a University of Maryland School of Medicine study.
• Can Dads Get Postpartum Depression?
  Indys Child.com, March 1, 2008
  James, 35, expected the birth of his daughter to ring in the happiest time of his life, but found it wasn't so. Like nearly 10 percent of fathers, he suffered symptoms of depression after the birth of his child.
• Immigrants at "significantly" higher risk for postpartum depression: study
  Canada.com, February 28, 2008
  The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry has published a study showing that immigrants to Canada are at an increased risk for postpartum depression. The author of the study suggests lack of social support and cultural stigmas may be partly to blame.
• More UK practitioners prescribing exercise for depression
  Medical News Today.com, February 8, 2008
  The number of general practitioners in the UK prescribing exercise as a treatment for depression has gone up in the last 3 years, pointing to renewed interest in exercise therapy by both physicians and patients.
• The part of postpartum depression that no one talks about
  Brazen Careerist, February 13, 2008
  Penelope Trunk, columnist and blogger on workplace issues, writes about her own experience with PPD and how it affected her career.
• Postpartum Depression Linked to Boys?
  Web MD.com, February 15, 2008
  In a French study of 181 women who had recently given birth, severe depression was more prevalent among women with male babies.
• Discussion of Postpartum Depression in Men on the Mike and Juliet Show
  The Mike and Juliet Show.com, February 7, 2008
  The Mike and Juliet program featured a discussion of how postpartum depression affects new fathers.
• Postpartum Depression Epidemic Affects More than Just Mom
  Scientific American.com, February 2008
  Postpartum depression can lead to a diminished bond between mother and baby that can affect a child's social and behavioral development.
• Dad's weight gain might be deeper than just lack of exercise
  Daily Herald.com, January 29, 2008
  Most experts believe lifestyle changes are the primary factors behind weight gain in new fathers, but some believe postpartum depression may also be a factor.
• Black and Blue: Depression Among African-Americans
  US News.com, January 16, 2008
  According to Terrie M. Williams, author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting, there's a tendency to hide or ignore symptoms of depression in the African-American community. That tendency means missed opportunities to treat the disorder.
• Women and Men Doctors Have Divergent Views on Women and Depression
  Society for Women's Health Research, January 16, 2008
  A recent survey conducted by the Society for Women’s Health Research found that female doctors were considerably more likely to mention difficult or complicated pregnancies or deliveries; lack of support or help with the baby; and difficulty dealing with a newborn, including sickness, as risk factors for PPD. In general, female doctors were more likely to attribute a woman’s sense of being overwhelmed as a source of PPD.
• Maternal Distress Raises Risk of Childhood Asthma
  US News and World Report.com, January 15, 2008
  Canadian researchers have found a 25% higher risk of asthma in children whose mothers have persistent anxiety or depression.
• Getaways to Coddle New Mothers (or Just Inspire Some)
  New York Times.com, January 14, 2008
  Exhausted new moms and moms-to-be are taking advantage of inns and day spas that offer pre- and postnatal pampering and overnight stays that include an on-call lactation consultant.
• The silent epidemic
  Telegraph.co.uk, January 11, 2008
  A new survey in Great Britain shows at least 20% of new mothers are treated for postpartum depression, and advocates for perinatal support say more midwives and better postpartum services are needed to meet the demand.
• Vitamins for bipolar: cure or quackery?
  Vancouver Sun.com, January 7, 2008
  A vitamin and mineral cocktail originally formulated to tame aggressive pigs has given new hope to Monica Carsience, a Canadian mother whose bipolar disorder worsened after giving birth to her baby.
• Menendez & Rush Say MOTHERS Act Legislation Nearly Complete
  Postpartum Progress.typepad.com, December 21, 2007
  Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) are in the process of finalizing the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act for its anticipated passage in Congress by early spring 2008.
• An open discussion of an illness kept behind closed doors
  Boston Globe.com, December 18, 2007
  In "The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children, and Struggling with Depression," author Tracy Thompson discusses her own experience with postpartum depression and the pressures women face trying to meet the standards American society has set for modern mothers.
• Offering a parental shoulder
  Boston.com, December 16, 2007
  Based in Watertown, Massachusetts, Parents Helping Parents offers free support groups in more than 25 locations across the state, and a 24-hour stress hotline staffed by volunteers. The organization gives guidance and support to parents and caregivers in crisis or in a difficult situation, including women with PPD.
• "I thought my baby was a monster"
  Telegraph.co.uk, December 3, 2007
  At the Anna Freud Centre in London, England, Dr Amanda Jones works with women like Zoe Hicks who fail to form an attachment with their baby. Jones practices psychodynamic parent-infant psychotherapy, treating mother and baby together, which reveals more quickly if there is a problem with the mother-child bond.
• Old tradition, new twist
  Daily News Tribune.com, November 27, 2007
  In the United States, most new mothers struggle alone with postpartum depression, breastfeeding difficulties, infant jaundice, and other issues that are not addressed until a visit to the doctor's office. This article explores a growing trend of supportive home care by midwives, doulas, and other health care workers.
• Omega-3s boast antidepressant effects
  The Windsor Star.com, August 16, 2007
  The results of a major review of published research suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have antidepressant effects. Interest has been particularly strong in using omega-3s for treatment-resistant depression, childhood depression, and postpartum depression.
• Women and Doctors Have Widely Different Views About Depression Medication Use Around Pregnancy
  Society for Women's Health Research, November 13, 2007
  A survey released by the Society for Women’s Health Research indicates that while most doctors believe medications to treat depression are safe during and after pregnancy, the majority of women surveyed believe drugs for depression are unsafe around this time. The survey also found that women are much less likely than their doctors to recognize symptoms of depression.
• New Jersey church launches training on postpartum depression
  NCR Online.org, November 16, 2007
  The New Jersey Catholic Conference is working with the statewide Maternal and Child Consortia to educate clergy, religious and lay leaders in the state’s 684 parishes to recognize the warning signals of postpartum depression.
• Treating colic: Curing the colic myth
  Salt Lake Tribune.com, November 5, 2007
  Colicky babies can give rise to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt in new parents. Treatment should include the entire family and include screening for postpartum depression.
• Moms-to-be at risk: Kaiser program reaches out to women depressed during pregnancy
  Sacramento Bee.com, October 20, 2007
  A new program at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, California, is designed for pregnant women experiencing depression or anxiety.
• Valerie Plame Wilson on Keeping Her Marriage Together
  People.com, October 28, 2007
  Valerie Plame Wilson, the former covert CIA agent unmasked after husband Joe Wilson wrote an op-ed critical of Iraq WMD intelligence, includes her struggle with postpartum depression in her new book.
• BlogDay for the MOTHERS Act
  BlogHer.org, October 24, 2007
  On Wednesday, October 24th, BlogHer, Postpartum Support International and Postpartum Progress are joining together to host Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. Bloggers from around the country will write about the MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression on the 24th and encourage their readers to pick up the phone that day, call their Senators and urge them to endorse this critical legislation.
• Ex-N.J. first lady combats depression
  North Jersey.com, October 18, 2007
  Mary Jo Codey, New Jersey's former first lady, was one of 6 women honored with the "Spirit of Womanhood" award from the Northern New Jersey Maternal-Child Health Consortium. Codey was cited for helping to improve the health of women and children in New Jersey by sharing her personal medical experiences with postpartum depression.
• Testing new moms for depression
  Chicago Sun-Times, October 17, 2007
  Under an Illinois state law that takes effect Jan. 1, doctors and nurses will be required to offer pregnant women and new moms a voluntary screening test, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
• US Touts Studying Postpartum Depression
  Associated Press, October 16, 2007
  The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that encourages the NIMH, as well as the Health and Human Services secretary and the NIH, to aggressively pursue ongoing studies into PPD and carry out a national campaign to increase awareness of the issue.
• PSI, BlogHer, and Postpartum Progress Announce Blog Day for The MOTHERS Act
  eMediaWire.com, October 7, 2007
  On Wednesday, October 24, bloggers across the US will write about taking action on this critical legislation by placing calls to their state's senators urging sponsorship and support of The MOTHERS (Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression) Act.
• Help needed to cure 'baby blues'
  Courier News Online.com, October 4, 2007
  Almost 80 percent of new mothers experience slight depression after childbirth, or "baby blues." About 20 percent suffer from more serious postpartum depression, or PPD. In New Jersey, that's nearly 16,000 women annually.
• House Energy and Commerce Committee Approves Bill To Study Causes, Treatment of Postpartum Depression
  Kaiser Network.org, Sept. 28, 2007
  The House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved by voice vote a bill (HR 20) that would authorize $3 million in grants in fiscal year 2008 to study the causes and treatments of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
• Talking helps new moms recover
  Charleston.net, Sept. 10, 2007
  Since Sandra Poulin found that talking was the first step to recovery from her PPD, she has dedicated herself to helping other women open up about it. She solicited hundreds of first-person stories for "The Mother-to-Mother Postpartum Depression Support Book."
• Serenity now
  Boston Herald.com, Sept. 16, 2007
  An innovative program at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Massachusetts gives new mothers a 2-hour daily quiet period to bond with their babies uninterrupted. The program is the idea of nurse Luigina Maniscalco, who said research shows moms are leaving hospitals tired and stressed, a precursor to PPD.
• Postpartum Depression Blogs Help Moms
  Yahoo.com, August 17, 2007
  A growing community of bloggers share their postpartum experiences and resources with other women who find themselves in a scary, dangerous place following childbirth.
• Repeated, extended deployments stressing US military families
  International Herald Tribune.com, August 11, 2007
  Frequent and extended troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are stressing families at home. One study has found that pregnant women with deployed husbands have 2.8 times as much risk of developing postpartum depression as other pregnant women.
• Baby Makes Three: Dealing With Children in Your Relationship
  ABC News, July 30, 2007
  A new baby can bring joy, stress, and postpartum depression to both mothers and fathers. John Gottman of the Relationship Research Institute has developed a Bringing Baby Home workshop, a 2-day course that prepares a couple for how their relationship will change once a baby arrives.
• Ingesting the placenta: Is it healthy for new moms?
  USA Today, July 19, 2007
  Although placentophagy is far from widespread and is received with great skepticism by more traditional medical experts, some believe that the organ created by the woman's body to pass nutrients between mother and fetus is rich in chemicals that can help mitigate fluctuations in hormones believed to cause postpartum depression.
• Supermom, RIP: return of the night nurse
  The Globe and Mail, July 17, 2007
  Agencies that place baby nurses, also called night nurses, say that demand for the service has surged even among families that are not affluent. Demand is being fuelled in part by a swelling number of multiple births, an increased rate of cesarean section, and a growing awareness of postpartum depression.
• The Pregnancy Taboo
  Boston.com, July 15, 2007
  Antepartum depression, which occurs during, not after, pregnancy, is a kind of orphan disease in the media, with few celebrities willing to adopt it as a cause.
• Postpartum Depression Ignites Shields's Antistigma Crusade
  Psychiatric News, July 6, 2007
  Brooke Shields shared her experiences with PPD at the annual "Conversations" event sponsored by the American Psychiatric Foundation at APA's 2007 annual meeting in San Diego.
• Postnatal psychosis genes found
  BBC News, July 5, 2007
  Researchers at Cardiff University have helped locate the genes which can make women more vulnerable to severe mental illness just after childbirth.
• Doctor's work with postpartum psychosis brings award
  BillingsGazette.com, July 7, 2007
  Dr. Bruce Whitworth, of Montana, received the 2007 NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award last week for his work with postpartum psychosis patients.
• MONDAY Q&A -- Educator directs variety of classes at hospital
  IndianaGazette.com, June 18, 2007
  Carolyn White, a nurse educator at Indiana Regional Medical Center's Perinatal Education/Family Programs department, sat down with Gazette staffer Erica Fontana to discuss various birth issues such as PPD.
• Medical Edge -- Symptoms unrelated to postpartum depression
  PostBulletin.com, June 18, 2007
  A mother suffering from PPD writes into the Mayo Clinic for advice on unrelated symptoms.
• Help for new moms
  NorthJersey.com, June 7, 2007
  A new program called Speak Up When You Are Down was launched last month and will train clergy and staff in parishes about the warning signs and risk factors of PPD. It will also train clergy and Catholic staff to be a go-to source in leading women to get proper treatment.
• Coping with postpartum depression
  DesMoinesRegister.com, June 6, 2007
  A task force in Des Moines provides information to new mothers and hopes to raise people's awareness about the condition.
• Is it the baby blues, or is it postpartum depression?
  suntimes.com, June 15, 2007
  A physician answers a reader's question about PPD in "ASK THE OBGYN."
• Preventing Postpartum Depression
  The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, June 6, 2007
  Dr. Margaret Spinelli and Susan Dowd Stone of Postpartum Support International appeared on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, along with other guests, to discuss postpartum depression.
• War wives at greater risk of postpartum depression
  latimes.com, May 26, 2007
  Researchers say spouses of deployed servicemen should be screened after giving birth.
• UNC Study: New Mothers Not Screened for Depression
  WRAL.com, May 31, 2007
  A new study suggests a majority of doctors are not probing new mothers for signs of postpartum depression.
• Brooke Shields promotes postpartum depression legislation
  sbsun.com, May 14, 2007
  The actress speaks out in favor of the bill being considered by Congress that would help screen for and treat PPD.
• Sen. Menendez Introduces Bill That Would Increase Postpartum Depression Research
  kaisernetwork.org, May 14, 2007
  Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) said he would introduce a bill (S 1375) that would increase PPD research at NIH and would provide grants to state and local health care workers to increase screening and treatment of the condition.
• California PBS Stations Launch Third Season of A Place of Our Own & Los Ninos en Su Casa
  Broadcastnewsroom, May 7, 2007
  A Place of Our Own and its Spanish language companion series, Los Ninos en Su Casa, have launched their third season on PBS stations throughout California. Postpartum depression is one of the new topics included this season.
• Proposed Help For Moms With Postpartum Depression
  CBS2Chicago, May 7, 2007
  Illinois senator Dick Durbin is introducing a bipartisan legislation that would fund postpartum depression education and screening programs.
• Analysis: Pregnancy depression neglected
  United Press United, May 7, 2007
  At the 55th annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that took place in San Diego during may, experts discussed how postpartum depression is often overlooked because it is assumed that pregnancy protects women from depression and that postpartum depression is within a woman's control.
• UNH research: Breastfeeding, good fats help new moms fight depression
  Seacoastonline, May 10, 2007
  According to a new article written by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and featured in the International Breastfeeding Journal, breastfeeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids help new moms fight depression.
• House Subcommittee Debates Postpartum Depression Bill; Republicans Indicate Measure Should Include Abortion-Related Language
  kaisernetwork.org, May 2, 2007
  The bill aimed at recognizing causes and treatments of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis was discussed Tuesday by the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.
• Is diet tied to postpartum depression?
  Calgary Herald, April 25, 2007
  Brenda Leung, a researcher at the University of Calgary, has headed up a study to investigate whether dietary intake affects women's mental well-being during and after pregnancy.
• Helping depressed mothers
  The Gateway, March 30, 2007
  University of Alberta researchers are helping new mothers suffering from postpartum depression recognize and respond to their babies various needs. A team of researchers undertook a pilot study called Keys to Caregiving, which teaches depressed mothers to understand and respond to cues given by the baby.
• Don't be afraid to talk about the baby blues
  theglobeandmail.com, March 13, 2007
  Here we see the various types of postpartum mood disorders and focus on the baby blues.
• Some Urge Routine Screening for Postpartum Depression
  voanews.com, February 6, 2006
  Adrienne Griffen quit her job seven years ago to stay at home and fulfill her dream of raising children. But after the birth of her second baby by emergency Caesarean section, that dream went terribly wrong.
• 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.
• Effects of postpartum depression in both mothers and fathers
  PregnancyandBaby.com, January 25, 2007
  Approximately 14 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers suffer from moderate or severe postpartum depression resulting in undesirable parenting practices and limited parent-infant interaction.
• New Campaign Targets Hispanic Women With Postpartum Depression
  Channel3000.com, January 19, 2007
  A first of its kind public health campaign targeting Hispanic women suffering from postpartum depression kicks off on Monday in Dane County
• Dads also suffer postpartum depression
  The Arizona Repulblic, January 16, 2007
  Postpartum depression has been recognized for more than a century as a problem affecting new mothers in the weeks and months after the birth of a child. Now, doctors and researchers are finding that fathers, too, can suffer that same stress and sadness.
• Raising postpartum depression awareness
  NorthJersey.com, January 16, 2007
  Susan Stone, president of Postpartum Support International, is traveling around the country, marshaling support for legislation that would mandate screening to detect postpartum depression and promoting education, among other things.
• Interview: Beating the baby blues
  United Press International.com, December 27, 2006
  For some new mothers, what they expect will be a time of elation and joy becomes instead a crippling case of "baby blues." Dr. Dorothy K.Y. Sit talked to United Press International about this issue.
• Special Nursery Lights Help to Avoid Postpartum Depression
  Emediawire, December 18, 2006
  A light bulb specially designed for use in infant nurseries has been announced by physicists at John Carroll University. It features lack of the blue light rays known to cause suppression of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. Lack of sleep and disruption of the circadian rhythm has been linked to depression.
• Answers to Your Questions About Postpartum Depression
  ABCNews.go.com, December 18, 2006
  Dr. James Potash, co-director of the mood disorders program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, answers users' questions about PPD from the "World News" message board.
• Postpartum depression screening required
  Strausnews.com 10/26/2006
  New mothers in New Jersey can expect to be screened for postpartum depression and receive education about the condition under a first-of-its-kind law that went into effect this month.
• Conference brings women's depression out of the shadows
  Post-Gazette.com, 10/18/2006
  The conference "Depression Care for Women Across the Life Span: Who's In Charge of Women's Health?" will address a range of issues related to depression in women, including postpartum depression. Dr. Katherine Wisner is the conference director.
• Everyone pays a price for postpartum depression
  Seattle PI.com, October 2, 2006
  It matters to the rest of us if a new mom in the grip of postpartum depression has no insurance. It matters because, too often, we are grabbed by the collar only after something horrific has happened.
• Internet Of Long-term Benefit For Depression
  sciencedaily.com 10/12/2006
  Mental health researchers have found that brief Internet-based interventions for depression have a significant positive long-term benefit that may be as effective as active psychotherapies.
• CBS Cares partners with PSI to launch public service announcement and online education campaign on postpartum depression
  Postpartum Support International, October 11, 2006
  CBS Cares has partnered with Postpartum Support International (PSI) to launch a Public Service Announcement and online education campaign on postpartum depression.
• The Secret Pain of Postnatal Depression
  The South African Journal of Natural Medicine, August, 2006
  This article describes a woman's descent into the private misery of postnatal depression.
• Penn State Researchers Say Education, Treatment Key To Averting Child Homicides
  Medical News Today July 30, 2006
  Mothers who suffer from serious bouts of postpartum depression and psychosis often don't get enough help before killing their children, but jailing them is not necessarily the answer, say two Penn State researchers.
• New Mothers Should be Screened Regularly for Postpartum Depression
  University of Rochester Medical Center Press Room, July 25, 2006
  Physicians should screen mothers for postpartum depression regularly for at least a year following childbirth to better identify women who develop symptoms throughout the year and those whose depression persists.
• Out Of Darkness: Postpartum Depression Attacked With Unusual Treatment
  NBC5.com, February 26, 2007
  A mother of 5 suffering from postpartum depression turned to a local clinic and an unusual, controversial treatment. While the mother says the treatment worked, other experts doubt the research behind it.
• Negative Impressions of Newborns Can Linger Long After Postpartum Mothers Heal
  AScribe, May 9, 2007
  Postpartum depression can have lasting effects on newborns, long after their mothers have recovered, according to researchers from Concordia University and the University of Iowa.
• Postpartum Depression: A Risk for New Dads, Too
  Forbes.com, June 8, 2007
  Almost as many men as women suffer from this type of depression, according to researchers who examined data from more than 5,000 two-parent families.