Start/Search | Browse by Day | Author Index

Postpartum Depression is the #1 complication of childbirth. The NIH suggests that 15% of all women will experience one of the types of perinatal mood disorders and one woman in eight will have postpartum depression.  The impact of postpartum depression has far reaching consequences and alters more than the emotional status of the mother.  Postpartum depression impairs mother/infant bonding, delaying the emotional development of the infant and adding stress to the father-mother relationship.  Screening for postpartum depression during the maternity stay alerts staff to mothers who are at risk. Timing of follow-up phone calls assists in identifying those with current problems. Referring for immediate treament and linking mothers to ongoing support groups has been known to play an important role in the prevention and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. This presentation will outline how one hospital has developed a support group for pregnant women & their families through an interdisciplinary approach and the use of community networking. Constructive ideas for developing a similar program will be shared. Current results and future developments will be provided.