Maternal Mental Health Disorders Research Articles

The impact of perinatal maternal mental health disorders on the child’s health

Perinatal mental disorders constitute an important health and social problem. Pre- and postnatal depression affects both the mother and her child. The most common postpartum mental health disorders include the so-called baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Depression in pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Depression during pregnancy has also been linked to diabetes and preeclampsia. Furthermore, the influence of maternal mental disorders on the development of allergic diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders in the child has been proven. Perinatal depression can lead to impaired bonding between mother and child, which has a long-term impact on the child’s emotional and social development. Perinatal depression may also affect both mental development and the occurrence of somatic diseases in children. The main mental disorders observed in the children of mothers with perinatal depression include behavioural problems, destructive behaviour, anxiety disorders and insecurity. An increased risk of atopic dermatitis and recurrent upper and lower airway infections has been proven in children of depressed mothers. Considering the above, it seems obvious that the protection of the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women and children should be multifaceted and multi-tracked. Untreated depression may have long-term consequences on the child’s development.

The relationship between maternal-infant bonding and postpartum depression/anxiety: moderating effect of childhood psychological abuse and validation of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding scale (MIBS-8) in Arabic

BackgroundThe emotional bond that a mother senses to her infant is essential to their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Understanding the level of mother-infant bonding plays an imperative role in the excellence of care. However, in Lebanon, there is a paucity of information about mother-infant bonding in the postpartum period. Given that Lebanese pregnant women constitute an important part of the population to look at, the objectives of the study were to (1) validate the Arabic version of the mother–infant bonding scale and (2) the relation between mother-infant bond and postpartum depression/anxiety; (3) the moderating effect of child abuse in the association between mother-infant bond and postpartum depression/anxiety.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 until June 2023, enrolling 438 women 4–6 weeks after delivery (mean age: 31.23 ± 5.24 years). To examine the factor structure of the mother-infant bond scale, we used an Exploratory-Confirmatory (EFA-CFA) strategy. To check if the model was adequate, several fit indices were calculated: the normed model chi-square (χ2/df), the Steiger-Lind root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) and the comparative fit index (CFI).ResultsEFA was conducted on the first subsample. Three items were removed. The five items remaining loaded on one factor, which explained 73.03% of the common variance (ω = .91 / α = .90). After adding a correlation between residuals for items 2–7 and 5–8, fit indices of the CFA results were acceptable: χ2/df = 6.97/3 = 2.32, RMSEA = .068 (90% CI .001, .135), SRMR = .017, CFI = .996, TLI = .988. The interaction maternal-infant bonding by child psychological abuse was significantly associated with depression and anxiety respectively. At low, moderate and high levels of child psychological abuse, higher maternal-infant bonding scores (greater difficulty in bonding) were significantly associated with higher depression and higher anxiety respectively.ConclusionThis study provides, for the first time, a specific Arabic scale to assess mother-infant bonding reliably and validly. Furthermore, our study has suggested the existence of factors that have additive effects in potentiating the risk for depression and anxiety among Lebanese postpartum women, namely a history of psychological child abuse. Therefore, laborious awareness programs and healthcare services need to be implemented in order to prevent maternal mental health disorders from being unrecognized and left untreated.

Maternal antenatal mental health and its associations with perinatal outcomes and the use of healthcare services in children from the NINFEA birth cohort study.

To investigate the associations between maternal mental health disorders before and during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes and child healthcare utilization between 6 and 18months of age. Among the 6814 mother-child pairs from the Italian Internet-based NINFEA birth cohort, maternal depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders diagnosed by a physician before and during pregnancy were assessed through self-reported questionnaires completed during pregnancy and 6months after delivery. Perinatal outcomes (preterm birth, birth weight, small for gestational age, congenital anomalies, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)) and children's healthcare utilization (emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits) were reported by mothers at 6 and 18months postpartum. We used regression models adjusted for maternal age, education, parity, country of birth, region of delivery, and household income. Maternal mental health disorders were not associated with perinatal outcomes, except for depression, which increased the risk of offspring admission to NICU, and anxiety disorders during pregnancy, which were associated with preterm birth and lower birth weight. Children born to mothers with depression/anxiety disorders before pregnancy, compared to children of mothers without these disorders, had an increased odds of a visit to ED for any reason (odds ratio (ORadj) = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.54), of an ED visit resulting in hospitalization (ORadj = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.27-2.42), and of planned hospital admissions (ORadj = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.01-2.40). These associations with healthcare utilization were similar for mental disorders also during pregnancy. The association pattern of maternal sleep disorders with perinatal outcomes and child healthcare utilization resembled that of maternal depression and/or anxiety disorders with these outcomes. Conclusion: Antenatal maternal mental health is a potential risk factor for child-health outcomes and healthcare use. Early maternal mental health interventions may help to promote child health and reduce healthcare costs. What is Known: • Poor maternal mental health affects pregnancy outcomes and child health, and children of mothers with mental health conditions tend to have increased healtcare utilization. • Parents with poor mental health often face challenges in caring for their children and have less parenting self-efficacy, which could potentially lead to frequent medical consultations for minor health issues. What is New: • Maternal pre-pregnancy mental disorders were not associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, SGA, and congenital anomalies, except for depression, which increased the risk of offspring admission to NICU. Anxiety disorders during pregnancywere associated with lower birth weight and an increased odds of preterm birth. • Maternal depression and/or anxiety and sleep disorders, both before and during pregnancy, were associated with an increase in children's healthcare utilization between 6 and 18months of life.

Black Pregnant and Postpartum Peoples' Perspectives on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.

Introduction: Mental health and substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum people (PPP) are common, and most will not receive adequate treatment. In addition, Black PPP experience higher rates of mental health conditions and are less likely to receive treatment compared with White PPP. Yet, our understanding of the experience of Black PPP with respect to these conditions is limited. The goal of this study was to better understand these experiences with respect to mental health, substance use, and barriers to treatment. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were completed with 68 Black PPP who were pregnant or had been pregnant in the last 24 months to gain an understanding of mental health and substance use screening and treatment during the peripartum and postpartum period. Interview data were analyzed with qualitative software, using a qualitative content analysis method, informed by grounded theory. Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) personal beliefs and views about mental health and substance use, (2) family and community beliefs about mental health and substance use, (3) personal experience with mental health and substance use, and (4) comfort in talking to others about mental health and substance use. Subthemes evolved within each of the four themes. Black PPP indicated that maternal mental health and substance use disorders are common in the Black community, but negative stigma related to these conditions often prevents PPP from talking about these conditions or seeking support or treatment despite believing that support and treatment can be beneficial. Conclusions: Clinical practice initiatives within this population can focus on advanced training for providers to more clearly understand personal experiences and related stigma related to mental health and substance use disorders, with the goal of supporting Black PPP mental health needs.

Maternal mental health disorders and offspring asthma and allergic diseases: The role of child mental health.

Maternal psychological stress during pregnancy and postnatally has been shown to be associated with offspring atopic diseases (asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis). The aim of this study was to assess whether this association may be attributable to the child's own mental health disorders. The study population included 15,092 twin children born 2002-2010 in Sweden. Questionnaire data at age 9 years was linked to national patient- and prescription registers. Maternal mental health during pregnancy and 3 years postnatally were identified from diagnosis and medication data (depression, anxiety and stress disorders). Atopic diseases in children were identified from questionnaires, diagnosis and medication data. Child mental health status (depression and anxiety) was identified from questionnaires. Three-way decomposition methods tested for mediation or interaction by child mental health disorders. Maternal mental health disorders were associated with most child atopic diseases including asthma aRR1.36 (95% CI 1.12, 1.60), and child mental health disorders, aRR1.73 (95% CI 1.56, 1.92). Children with mental health disorders were comorbid for atopic diseases with only asthma reaching statistical significance, aRR1.29 (95% CI 1.14, 1.47). Three-way decomposition found that mediation or interaction by child mental health disorders did not account for the mother mental health and child atopy associations except in parent-report asthma, where child mental health disorders mediated 13.4% (95% CI 2.1, 24.7) of the effect, but not for objectively defined (diagnosis and medication) asthma. The associations between maternal mental health and child asthma and allergic diseases do not appear to be attributable to child mental health disorders.

Women Wellness: A Mental Health Perspective on Pregnancy

Post-partum depression (PPD) is estimated to occur to approximately 10 to 20 percent of mothers. Hormonal changes, situational risks and external stressors can contribute to the onset of PPD. Research suggests maternal mental health disorders have shown to not only affect the mother’s overall wellbeing but also the development of the fetus. However, there is still an immense gap between the prevalence of women with mental disorders and those who access mental health services. Given the vulnerability of this population and severe consequences, more emphasis should be placed in programs and treatments to increase maternal wellbeing. Findings suggests, early detection of risk factors, education on mental health, and early psychological treatment are vital factors in helping this population.Although, there is current evidence addressing the effectiveness of proper screening. There is still a lack of research on the access of mental health services, effectiveness on various types of psychological treatments and means to implement such services in maternal health care settings.

Maternal treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and delayed neonatal adaptation: a population-based cohort study

ObjectiveSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use is common in pregnancy. It is associated with delayed neonatal adaptation. Most previous studies have not adjusted for the severity of maternal mental health...

Association of breastfeeding with mental disorders in mother and child: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundBreastfeeding has long been associated with numerous benefits for both mothers and infants. While some observational studies have explored the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes in mothers and children, a systematic review of the available evidence is lacking. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the association between breastfeeding and mental health disorders in mothers and children.MethodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to June 2, 2023. The inclusion criteria consisted of all studies evaluating links between breastfeeding and development of mental health disorders in children and mothers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) while grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of evidence. A random-effects meta-analysis was used if possible, to estimate the odds ratio for the association between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes. The Mantel–Haenszel method was utilised for pooling ORs across studies. Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsOur review identified twenty-one original study. Of these, 18 focused on the association between breastfeeding and child health, assessing depressive disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. Three studies evaluated the associations between breastfeeding and maternal mental health disorders. Three studies looking at outcomes in children showed no significant association between breastfeeding and occurrence of schizophrenia later in life (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.57–1.71; I2 = 29%). For depressive disorders (5 studies) and anxiety disorders (3 studies), we found conflicting evidence with some studies showing a small protective effect while others found no effect. The GRADE certainty for all these findings was very low due to multiple limitations. Three studies looking at association between breastfeeding and maternal mental health, were too heterogeneous to draw any firm conclusions.ConclusionsWe found limited evidence to support a protective association between breastfeeding and the development of mental health disorders in children later in life. The data regarding the association between breastfeeding and maternal mental health beyond the postnatal period is also limited. The methodological limitations of the published literature prevent definitive conclusions, and further research is needed to better understand the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health in mothers and children.

Mapping high-risk clusters and identifying place-based risk factors of mental health burden in pregnancy

PurposeDespite affecting up to 20% of women and being the leading cause of preventable deaths during the perinatal and postpartum period, maternal mental health conditions are chronically understudied. This study is the first to identify spatial patterns in perinatal mental health conditions, and relate these patterns to place-based social and environmental factors that drive cluster development. MethodsWe performed spatial clustering analysis of emergency department (ED) visits for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), severe mental illness (SMI), and maternal mental disorders of pregnancy (MDP) using the Poisson model in SatScan from 2016 to 2019 in North Carolina. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient and community-level factors and high-risk clusters. ResultsThe most significant spatial clustering for all three outcomes was concentrated in smaller urban areas in the western, central piedmont, and coastal plains regions of the state, with odds ratios greater than 3 for some cluster locations. Individual factors (e.g., age, race, ethnicity) and contextual factors (e.g., racial and socioeconomic segregation, urbanity) were associated with high risk clusters. ConclusionsResults provide important contextual and spatial information concerning at-risk populations with a high burden of maternal mental health disorders and can better inform targeted locations for the expansion of maternal mental health services.

Maternal Mental Health and Children’s Problem Behaviours: A Bi-directional Relationship?

Transactional theory and the coercive family process model have illustrated how the parent-child relationship is reciprocal. Emerging research using advanced statistical methods has examined these theories, but further investigations are necessary. In this study, we utilised linked health data on maternal mental health disorders and explored their relationship with child problem behaviours via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for over 13 years. We accessed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, linked to anonymised individual-level population-scale health and administrative data within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We used Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling, specifically Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models, to analyse the relationships between mothers and their children. We then explored these models with the addition of time-invariant covariates. We found that a mother’s mental health was strongly associated over time, as were children’s problem behaviours. We found mixed evidence for bi-directional relationships, with only emotional problems showing bi-directional associations in mid to late childhood. Only child-to-mother pathways were identified for the overall problem behaviour score and peer problems; no associations were found for conduct problems or hyperactivity. All models had strong between-effects and clear socioeconomic and sex differences. We encourage the use of whole family-based support for mental health and problem behaviours, and recommend that socioeconomic, sex and wider differences should be considered as factors in tailoring family-based interventions and support.

Maternal mental health screening and management by health workers in southwestern Uganda: a qualitative analysis of knowledge, practices, and challenges

BackgroundMaternal mental health (MMH) problems, such as perinatal depression, maternal anxiety, suicide ideation and puerperal psychosis among others, have a significant impact on maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as the health and development of children. One in every four pregnant women and one in every five postpartum women in low-income countries, suffer from maternal mental health (MMH) problems. Despite this, MMH screening, diagnosis, and reporting remain scanty in Uganda. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, practices, and impediments that maternity care workers face when screening and managing women with maternal mental health disorders in health facilities in south-western Uganda.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 22 health-care professionals who work in maternity care departments in primary and tertiary healthcare facilities in southwestern Uganda to investigate their medical knowledge, clinical practices, and challenges related to the screening and management of maternal mental health problems. Using qualitative content analysis, distinct categories and subcategories were found.ResultsMedical staff especially midwives lacked specialized training in screening and managing women with maternal mental health problems They screened and managed MMH problems solely based on history and physical examination, and they referred nearly every mother displaying signs of mental illness because they felt ill-prepared to handle them. On the other hand, medical staff with some level of specialized training in mental health particularly staff working in mental health units, were more likely to use a mental health screening tool in addition to history and physical examination; and to treat any women exhibiting signs and symptoms of maternal mental problems without referring them. Lack of in-service training on maternal mental health, poorly coordinated referral systems, reluctance of mentally ill to visit medical facilities, scarcity of mental health specialists, and shortage of relevant medications were identified as the major challenges. Age, experience level, or gender had no effect on screening or management practices.ConclusionsThe results suggest that specialized training in mental health, and particularly maternal mental health, is essential for the effective screening and management of maternal mental health conditions in South Western Uganda.

Persistent Maternal Mental Health Disorders and Toddler Neurodevelopment at 18 Months: Longitudinal Follow-up of a Low-Income South African Cohort.

One of the biggest threats to early childhood development in Africa is poor maternal mental health. The present study reports on the relationships between clinical diagnoses of persistent maternal mental health disorders (at 3- and/or 6- and 18-month post-term age) and toddler neurodevelopment at 18 months of age. Eighty-three mother-toddler dyads from low socio-economic status settings in Cape Town, South Africa, were included. At the 3-, 6- and 18-month postnatal visits, clinician-administered structured diagnostic assessments were carried out according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-V) criteria. Toddler neurodevelopment at 18 months corrected age was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between toddlers with exposure to persistent mood or psychotic disorders in the different BSID-III domains compared to toddlers with no exposure. Toddlers exposed to persistent comorbid anxiety and mood disorders scored significantly higher on the cognitive (p = 0.049), motor (p = 0.013) and language (p = 0.041) domains and attained significantly higher fine motor (p = 0.043) and gross motor (p = 0.041) scaled scores compared to toddlers with no maternal mental health disorder exposure. Future investigations should focus on the role of protective factors to explain the pathways through which maternal mental health status is associated with positive toddler neurodevelopmental outcomes.

CO60 Maternal Mental Health Disorders May Increase Odds of Adverse Intrauterine and Birth Outcomes

Congenital heart defects (CHD) affect approximately 40,000 births per year in the United States. Various combinations of genetic and secondary contributors have been proposed, and researchers continue to explore additional predictors of CHD causation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between maternal mental health disorder (MMHD) history and the incidence of abnormalities in fetal heart rate or rhythm as well as the incidence of stillbirth.

Ecopsychological Development and Maternal Ecodistress During Matrescence

The experience of matrescence, the developmental transition to motherhood, has not explicitly included the ecological domain, whereby mothers awaken to ecological concerns and question their ethical relationship to nature. Therefore, in this paper, we argue the need for a new framework known as maternal ecopsychology and its related ecotherapies to accelerate a mother's movement toward an enlarged ecoconsciousness as part and parcel of an already unfolding matrescence. We will also explore the ecopsychological underpinnings of maternal mental health disorders, such as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, which have not previously been viewed from a nature-based perspective. First, we define ecoconsciousness and the ecological self to demonstrate how their development is necessary for humanity's ecological sustainability, especially for maternal health. We then outline how mothers have a unique opportunity to move from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric worldview through their matrescence and, in doing so, later reinterpret maternal psychopathology. We propose nature-based interventions such as those available to adolescents as alternative treatments for established maternal mental health symptoms, including but not limited to climate and environment-related concerns. Finally, we share general guidelines for ecotherapeutic practices with mothers to address the three primary conflicts that often arise in matrescence and to help mothers transition away from the limitations of anthropocentrism and toward a profound new interrelationship with nature instead.

Traversing mental health disorders during pregnancy: Lebanese women's experiences of antepartum depression and anxiety.

Over the past few years, Lebanon-a developing country-has faced a plethora of economic and political challenges, with more than half of the general population presenting depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, when it comes to maternal mental health during pregnancy, the last examination in Lebanon dates far back to 2005. Our study's aim was to help delineate the factors associated with Lebanese women's mental health disorders during pregnancy, namely antepartum depression and anxiety. We launched a cross-sectional study among Lebanese pregnant women (age ≥ 18years) between June and July 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown (N = 433). In total, 87.8% of the participants experienced depression (mild to severe), where severe depression was observed in 7.9%. In addition, 70.3% had a significant level of anxiety. Increased pregnancy-specific hassles (beta = 0.93), being Muslim compared to Christians (beta = 3.19), being afraid of an existing aggressor (beta = 8.75), urinary tract infections (beta = 2.02), and higher gestational age (beta = 0.07) were significantly associated with higher depression, whereas higher physical activity index (beta = - 0.09) and increased disordered eating attitudes during pregnancy (beta = - 0.27) were significantly associated with less depression, all accounting for 60.4% of the model's variance. Additionally, increased pregnancy-specific hassles (beta = 0.54), being Muslim compared to Christians (beta = 2.42), urinary tract infections (beta = 1.72), and having been emotionally or physically abused (beta = 1.19) were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and could predict 49% of the total variance. Our study has suggested the existence of factors that have additive effects in potentiating the risk for depression and anxiety among Lebanese pregnant women, namely cultural beliefs, pregnancy-related distress, medical complications during pregnancy, and a history of abuse. Therefore, it would be judicious to implement screening programs targeting pregnant women at risk for antepartum depression and anxiety. In addition, high rates of prenatal depression and anxiety were detected among our sample, supporting that recognizing and treating maternal mental health disorders should be prioritized during antenatal care in Lebanon.

Screening and Treatment for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (HRSA)

Screening and Treatment for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (HRSA)

A propensity score matching study: The prevalence of mental health problems among pregnant women at first antenatal care increased in Chongqing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased the risks of mental health challenges, especially anxiety and depression. However, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health during pregnancy has not been fully established. Therefore, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health. Two cohorts of pregnant women at their first antenatal care in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled in this study. One cohort was enrolled before the COVID-19 outbreak, from 1 June to 31 December 2019 (n = 5,728, pre-COVID-19 group), while the other was enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 24 January to 23 March 2020 (n = 739, COVID-19 pandemic group). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization disorders were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), with a cutoff point of 10 for moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms. The propensity score matching method (1:1) was used to balance differences in demographic characteristics between groups. A chi-square analysis was performed to compare differences in demographic characteristics between the groups. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms among pregnant women at their first antenatal care visit during the COVID-19 pandemic (9.5, 2.2, and 20.8%, respectively) was significantly lower than those before the pandemic (16.3, 4.4, and 25.7%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Compared with the same period before the pandemic, during the pandemic, the number of women newly registered for antenatal care decreased by nearly 50%. There were significant differences in the distributions of demographic characteristics between the groups (p < 0.05). After matching the demographic characteristics, differences in the prevalence of maternal mental health disorders between the groups reversed dramatically. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in this population (2.3, 9.6, and 20.8%, respectively) was significantly higher than those before the pandemic (0.3, 3.9, and 10%, respectively) (p < 0.05). The COVID-19 pandemic increased mental health risks among pregnant women. As a large proportion of pregnant women with mental health challenges delay their prenatal care or change healthcare facilities after the outbreak of public health emergencies, there is a need to establish a balanced healthcare system in medical institutions at all levels.

Factors associated with common mental disorders among breastfeeding mothers in tertiary hospital nurseries in Nigeria.

Several studies have shown that the impact of maternal mental health disorders on newborns' well-being in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are underreported, multi-dimensional and varies over time and differs from what is reported in high-income countries. We present the prevalence and risk factors associated with common mental disorders (CMDs) among breastfeeding mothers whose infants were admitted to Nigerian tertiary care facilities. This was a national cross-sectional study involving mothers of hospitalised babies from eleven Nigerian tertiary hospitals. We used the WHO self-reporting Questionnaire 20 and an adapted WHO/UNICEF ten-step breastfeeding support package to assess mothers' mental health and breastfeeding support. Only 895 of the 1,120 mothers recruited from eleven tertiary healthcare nurseries in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria had complete datasets for analysis. The participants' mean age was 29.9 ± 6.2 years. One in four had CMDs; 24.0% (95% CI: 21.235, 26.937%). The ages of mothers, parity, gestational age at delivery, and length of hospital stay were comparable between mothers with and those without CMDs. Antenatal care at primary healthcare facilities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR:13], primary education [aOR:3.255] living in the south-southern region of the country [aOR 2.207], poor breastfeeding support [aOR:1.467], polygamous family settings [aOR:2.182], and a previous history of mental health disorders [aOR:4.684] were significantly associated with CMDs. In contrast, those from the middle and lower socioeconomic classes were less likely to develop CMDs, with [aOR:0.532] and [aOR:0.493], respectively. In Nigeria, the prevalence of CMDs is relatively high among breastfeeding mothers with infants admitted to a tertiary care facility. Prior history of mental illness, polygamous households, mothers living in the southern region and low or no educational attainment have a greater risk of developing CMDs. This study provides evidence for assessing and tailoring interventions to CMDs among breastfeeding mothers in neonatal nurseries in LMIC.

U.S. Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week finds a new home

2020 Mom, a national maternal mental health policy organization, announced today that it is transitioning its Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Social Media Campaign and TheBlueDotProject.org — the corresponding website and social media platforms — to Postpartum Support International this month, a news release stated. 2020 Mom has been the host of TheBlueDotProject.org and the U.S. Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Social Media Campaign since 2014, first in conjunction with nonprofit partners such as Postpartum Support International (PSI), through the National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health. The campaign aims to raise awareness about maternal mental health disorders like postpartum depression and promote the blue dot symbol as the universal symbol of maternal mental health awareness. “We are thrilled to host The Blue Dot Project as part of Postpartum Support International. From conception, we were involved in establishing the blue dot as the symbol for promoting awareness and solidarity for perinatal mental health. This natural collaboration allows us to continue to increase awareness for perinatal mental health disorders, while also promoting hope through the use of the symbol,” said Wendy Davis, Ph.D., executive director of PSI.

National bill to address maternal mental health passes Congress

The TRIUMPH for New Moms Act (H.R.4217/S.2779) passed by Congress in its end‐of‐year omnibus, creates the first national Task Force on Maternal Mental Health — 2020 Mom — a nonprofit organization, announced in a Dec. 26 news release. The bipartisan TRIUMPH for New Moms Act (“TRIUMPH”) was introduced by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D‐NH) and Thom Tillis (R‐NC), and Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D‐CA‐44), Larry Bucshon (R‐Ind.‐08), Young Kim (R‐CA‐39) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D‐DE‐AL) to create a national strategy to address maternal mental health disorders, and coordination and integration of maternal mental health into existing maternal, infant and mental health activities at the federal level. More specifically, TRIUMPH promotes federal collaboration among agencies and departments to protect and address the mental health of new mothers and creates recommendations to state governors, House and Senate committees, and relevant federal agencies to improve maternal mental health outcomes.