We talk a lot about screening and treatment for women with postpartum depression, but there’s always the question of which healthcare professional will do it. Most often, it is the OB/GYN that women reach out to for help, which is why this new study in the Archives of Women’s Health conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania is worth consideration. They took a look at women’s views on getting postpartum depression help from OB/GYNs.
“Among the 225 women in the study, more than half receiving gynecologic care (59%) and nearly a third of women who received prenatal care (29%) stated they would not seek help from their OB/GYN for depression.”
Those who said they would not seek help from their OB/GYN if they developed postpartum depression had two major beliefs that prevented them from doing so: 1) An OB/GYN is the wrong doctor for depression care and 2) OB/GYN is not a good setting for depression care.
Other research out this week (some of which I can hardly understand but will report to you anyway):
- The Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology (yes, that’s a word apparently) published a study about the relation between leptin levels in the body and postpartum depression.
- The Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology published a study about the risk factors for post-traumatic disorder in pregnant women, finding that women with PTSD during their first pregnancy were more likely to have suffered childhood abuse, to be African-American, living in higher crime areas, living in poverty, to be suffering depression and anxiety as well, and to have sought mental health treatment in the past.
- From the British Journal of Midwifery, a study on the risk factors for depression and anxiety during pregnancy (antenatal or antepartum depression).
Many medical doctors will tell you the first thing they are taught in school to look for something biologically measureable, before considering a possible mental disorder. After I started treatment for PPD with a therapist and psychologist, I asked all of my doctors why PPD is often missed. They are ALL great physicians and we very honest. I feel strongly that a perinatal mood disorder needs a specialist – psychologist, psychiatrist, cognitive behavior therapist once it is suspected. I hope that OBGYN's will refer there patients to specialists for care. Talk therapy is so important, along with other care options for PPD.
I contacted my OB/GYN for help with my postpartum depression 3 months after giving birth to my son. Because it was so long after my baby's birth, my OB/GYN said she was unable to help me and suggested that I go to my primary care doctor. Her suggestion kind of caught me off guard and I was a little disappointed that she couldn't help me. For me, it was a logical choice to turn to my OB/GYN for help first before any other doctor.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common forms of depression that needs to be treated promptly for the well-being of both mother and baby. If not treated on time, it can have dire effects on child's development. SSRIs function as mood enhancers by raising the brain’s usage of the neurotransmitter serotonin. But SSRI treatment is not recommended for those having seizure disorders or a past of mania inclusive of bipolar disorder.
PostPartum Depression is in most cases more serious than we thought, for the sake of the child and ofcourse the mother it should be given immediate and serious attention. I have so many women eventually killing their child if not treated.