"Postpartum depression is under-recognized and under-treated," said Jacqueline Gollan, PhD, clinical psychologist at Northwestern Memorial and the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Women's Behavioral Health Services Program. "By establishing a clinical protocol to screen all obstetric patients for depression, we can better detect the emergence of mood disorders, offer treatment and improve the clinical outcomes of these patients."
The staff at Prentice has beenextensively trainedon how to screen women, interpret the screen and follow up on the results. Screenings will now occur at the first prenatal visit, in the third trimester and at the 6 to 8 week postpartum checkup. The hospital statesthatit offers a range of services for those with perinatal mood or anxiety disorders, including one-on-one counseling and support groups for new moms.
Even better, another Chicago hospitalsystem is screening all of its pregnant patients for postpartum depressionas well. The Loyola University Health System has developed a comprehensive program that screens women for postpartum depression at 28 weeks, at delivery, at 2 weeks postpartum and at 6 weeks postpartum.(Thanks to Jennifer White at About.com for the heads up on this!)
Now step up any and all California hospitals and do the same , There is no down side to this screening, I am lucky because I asked to be a part of research, with these and other types of tests done. The result was one of the most positive experiences of my life, Keep up the Good work there in Chicago, I applaud you all that are involed< Thank You.
Right on! Thanks for bringing the great news forward, encouraging more hospitals to step up and get in the game! I've included this in my best of the web postpartum lineup .
Our hospital in Savannah, GA, the Telfair Birthplace at St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, screens every mother for post partum depression six weeks post delivery. They have been doing it now for six years.