Maternal Mental Health Disorders Research Articles

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.

Maternal educational practices and mental health disorders of school-age children

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between emotional and behavioral difficulties in schoolchildren and maternal educational practices. MethodsParticipants and Setting: 631 mother-child pairs were evaluated in a poor urban district in Recife, northeastern Brazil. Cross-sectional study carried out between 2013 and 2014. It integrates a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the consequences of intimate partner violence that occurred during pregnancy, postpartum, and seven years after birth for the physical and mental health of women and their children. Maternal educational practices were assessed using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC - mother-child version) and the child's behavioral and emotional disorders through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) mother-version. The association was estimated through crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, using Poisson regression considering the 95% confidence interval. ResultsThe prevalence of violent maternal educational practices was 91.8% (572/631) being 89.7% (566/631) of psychological aggression and 75.6% of physical aggression, subdivided into corporal punishment (73.5%), physical maltreatment (35.8%) and severe physical maltreatment (1.7%). Corporal punishment (Adjusted PR 1.5; CI 95%: 1.1–2.1; p = 0.010) and severe physical maltreatment (Adjusted PR 1.9; CI 95%: 1.3–2.8; p = 0.002) were associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties in schoolchildren. ConclusionThe high prevalence of violent maternal educational practices, especially corporal punishment and severe physical maltreatment is associated with emotional and behavioral disorders in children. Therefore, it is necessary to interventions that promote parental support and effective use of non-violent discipline in conducting the educational process to establish healthier family relationships and to prevent/mitigate the impact of emotional and behavioral problems in children.

Maternal mental health and infant neurodevelopment at 6 months in a low-income South African cohort.

Maternal mental health disorders and the adverse consequences for infant neurodevelopment have received substantial research attention in high-income countries over the past five decades. In Africa, where relatively little work has been done on this topic, researchers have largely focused on infant physical health outcomes. This longitudinal study investigated the neurodevelopment of infants at 6 months post-term with exposure to mothers with a clinical diagnosis of persistent mental health disorders residing in low-income communities in Cape Town, South Africa. Adjusted models revealed no significant differences on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) domains (cognitive, motor, language, socio-emotional, and adaptive behavior) between infants exposed to maternal mental health disorders (n=62) and the comparison group (n=35) at 3 and 6 months. Subgroup analyses found no significant differences on the BSID-III domains between infants with exposure to mood disorders (n=31), as well as infants with exposure to comorbid (i.e., a combination of two or three) mental health disorders (n=14) and the comparison group. However, infants with exposure to psychotic disorders (n=14) scored significantly lower on the cognitive and the motor domains and the fine motor subscale. These novel data provide an important contribution to the scientific literature especially in the field of maternal psychotic disorders in Africa.

Risk of children being taken into care amongst Metis parents experiencing incarceration: A linked administrative data study.

ObjectivesIndigenous children in Canada, including Metis children, are taken into care by the child welfare system at a disproportionately high rate. The objective of this study was to explore factors related to having a child taken into care from Metis families in Manitoba, and specifically from Metis mothers experiencing incarceration. ApproachThe cohort comprised all mother-child dyads in Manitoba, Canada with live births between Jan 1, 2004-Dec 31, 2014. The factors we examined included the mother experiencing incarceration after the birth of a child, having prior interaction with the legal system, socioeconomic status, maternal age, and mother’s mental health disorder diagnoses. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios describing the risk of a child being taken into care by five years of age were generated for three exposure groups: no incarceration, prenatal incarceration, and postnatal incarceration. ResultsBefore adjustment, mothers experiencing incarceration after the birth of a child had greater risk of having a child taken into care (HR 9.3; 95% CI 7.7-11.3) compared with women who did not experience incarceration; after adjusting for measured confounders, their elevated risk dropped to aHR 6.1 (5.0-7.4). After further adjustment for prior custody in the prenatal period, mothers experiencing incarceration had 3.8 times the risk (3.0-5.0), and after adjusting for maternal mental health disorders, this dropped to 2.6 times the risk (2.0-3.4). In fully adjusted models, other factors associated with having a child taken into care included receiving diagnoses for a substance use disorder (aHR 2.6; 2.1-3.2) and for psychosis (aHR 2.4; 1.4-4.1) during the five years prior to the child’s birth. ConclusionDue to colonialism, Metis women experience high levels of social and mental health complexity, placing their children at increased risk of being taken into care. Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to redress the harms of colonialism is necessary to support Metis children’s health and well-being.

Uncovering the Model and Philosophy of Care of a Psychiatric Inpatient Mother-Baby Unit in a Qualitative Study with Staff.

The postnatal period is high-risk time for the first onset and recurrence of maternal mental health disorders. Untreated maternal mental illness can have significant adverse impacts on a woman, her baby, and the wider family unit. For women with mental illnesses that cannot be managed in the community, psychiatric inpatient mother-baby units are the gold standard treatment whereby mothers are co-admitted with their infant for specialist perinatal and infant mental health assessment and treatment. The study explores the model of care and examines the philosophies of care that are used within a psychiatric mother-baby unit. Purposive sampling was used to conduct semi-structured focus group and individual interviews with multidisciplinary staff members at a single mother-baby unit. Themes derived from these interviews were coded into two primary themes and a range of sub-themes. The first primary theme focused on the Model of Care consisting of the following sub-themes: mental health care, physical health care, babies’ care, building mother-baby relationship, fostering relationships with supports, and facilitating community support. The second primary theme centered around the Philosophy of Care comprising of: person-centered care, trauma-informed care, compassion-centered care, recovery-oriented care, attachment-informed care, non-judgmental care, strengths-based care and interdisciplinary care. The model can be used to provide consistency across mother-baby units and to support core capabilities of staff in providing an optimal level of care.

Maternal mental health and substance use disorders in sudden unexpected death in infancy using routinely collected health data in New Zealand, 2000–2016

BackgroundMortality from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) has declined dramatically since the ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign. Deaths now are more prevalent in those with socioeconomic disadvantage. The investigation of...

Early motor behavior of infants exposed to maternal mental health disorders — A South African perspective

IntroductionOver the past five decades the bulk of research on exposure to maternal mental health disorders and infant neurodevelopment has been generated in high-income countries. The current study included infants, residing in low-income communities in South Africa, born to mothers with a history of psychiatric disorders. AimTo assess the motor behavior of 10- to 20-week-old infants exposed to maternal mental health disorders, and a subgroup of infants with prenatal psychotropic medication exposure. MethodsThe present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study, with a longitudinal subgroup analysis. General Movement Assessment (GMA), including the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), was used at 10–20 weeks corrected age to assess infant motor behavior. ResultsThe study included 112 infants. No significant difference (p = 0.523) was found on the MOS-R between infants exposed to maternal mental health disorders (n = 70) and the comparison group (n = 42). Both the exposed and comparison groups scored within the mildly reduced range on the MOS-R. No significant differences were found in a subgroup of infants with prenatal exposure to multi-class psychotropic medication (n = 17), mono-class psychotropic medication (n = 35) or valproate exposure (n = 10) (p > 0.1). ConclusionNo association was found between exposure to maternal mental health disorders or exposure to psychotropic medication and infant motor behavior at 10–20 weeks post-term age on the MOS-R. Future research should focus on the contribution of exposure to specific classes and types of psychotropic medication on neurodevelopmental outcome of infants in larger cohorts.

Bipartisan bill to support moms experiencing MH, SUDs introduced

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D‐Wis.) and colleagues introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Into the Light for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Act of 2022 legislation to authorize a national Maternal Mental Health Hotline to help pregnant and postpartum women affected by mental health and substance use disorders and to reauthorize and expand a grant program to screen and treat these individuals. The reauthorization would create, improve and enhance state programs for better screening and treatment, WISPolitics.com reported March 15. “Every new mother deserves access to mental health care resources, but sadly, we are leaving too many moms behind, often women of color,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bicameral, bipartisan legislation will help ensure that regardless of where a new mother lives in Wisconsin or America, they have the resources they need to address their mental health and substance use disorder challenges and can go on to lead healthy lives.” The legislation will take commonsense steps to scale up the existing screening and treatment program based on feedback from states; broaden the Health Resources and Services Administration's support from seven to 30 state programs; and add trainings on trauma‐informed care, biases and culturally and linguistically appropriate services to bridge gaps for health equity. It will also codify the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which is a national 24/7 voice and text program that is operated by licensed health care professionals who are trained on helping pregnant or postpartum women and family members affected by maternal mental health and substance use disorders. Today, the most common complication of pregnancy is a mental health condition, and suicide and overdose are leading causes of death for postpartum women. The bill is endorsed by more than 120 organizations.

Sri Lankan Public Health Midwives’ Knowledge on Maternal Mental Health Disorders

Emotional support and services provided by Public Health Midwives (PHMs) play a crucial role in identification and management of maternal mental health disorders as they are the first line contact in maternal and child-care and the focal field health members in caring for the antepartum and postpartum mothers. Aim of this study was to describe the Sri Lankan PHMs’ knowledge on maternal mental health disorders. Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using probability proportionate sampling, covering PHMs of all districts in Sri Lanka. Total of 434 PHMs were recruited with 99.1% response rate. A content-validated pre-tested questionnaire was administered. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to assess the knowledge of each component with selected study variables. Respondents’ mean age was 40.6 years. Out of the 430 PHMs, 36% of them were unaware, that symptoms of Depression and anxiety could be commonly seen during antenatal and postpartum period. It was found that only 21.8% of the respondents knew the average number of maternal deaths due to suicides in Sri Lanka. Forty seven percentage of the respondents did not know, that providing understanding, empathy and support was the most appropriate step in managing mothers with Postpartum Blues. This study findings highlight major deficiencies in basic knowledge of PHMs in identifying and initial management of common maternal mental health disorders. Therefore, focus on continuous professional development of PHMs should be prioritized.

Screening programs for common maternal mental health disorders among perinatal women: report of the systematic review of evidence

Postpartum depression and anxiety are highly prevalent worldwide. Fisher et al., estimated the prevalence of depression and anxiety at 15.6% during the antenatal and 19.8% during the postpartum period. Their impact on maternal and child health is well-recognized among the public health community, accounting for high societal costs. The public health impact of these conditions has highlighted the need to focus on the development and provision of effective prevention and treatment strategies.In recent decades, some advances have been made in the development of effective universal and targeted screening programmes for perinatal depression and anxiety disorders. Recent research has shown potential benefits of universal and targeted screening for perinatal depression, to identify and treat undiagnosed cases, and help thwart its deleterious consequences. Ethical implications, however, for these screening programmes, without the provision of treatment have often been emphasized.The present mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to collate evidence for screening programmes for perinatal depression and anxiety. It aims to answer the following questions, in a global context: For women in the perinatal period, do screening programmes for perinatal depression and anxiety compared with no screening improve maternal mental health and infant outcomes?A series of meta-analyses reveal a reduction in perinatal depression and anxiety among perinatal women undergoing screening programmes. For the outcome of depressive disorder, meta-analysis indicates a positive impact in favour of the intervention group (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.66, n = 9009), with moderate quality of evidence. A significant improvement (high quality) was also observed in symptoms of anxiety among perinatal women (SMD = − 0.18, 95% CI: − 0.25 to − 0.12, n = 3654).

Association between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollutants and postpartum depressive symptoms: A multi-city cohort study

BackgroundWomen are vulnerable to depression during postpartum period. While several studies have shown associations between ambient air pollution exposure and depression in general population, there was few studies focused on the effect of various air pollutants on postpartum depression (PPD). ObjectiveThis study is designed to explore the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and PPD, and to reveal the potential vulnerable exposure time point. MethodsThe study enrolled 10,209 pregnant women who delivered between October 2019 and February 2021 in 5 participating hospitals from 3 cities in China. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered at 6 weeks postpartum to identify PPD symptoms. Associations between PPD symptoms and exposure levels in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3 averaged over the whole pregnancy and each trimester were estimated using logistic regression models after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Distributed lag models (DLMs) were used to determine the relevant associations in each gestational week. ResultsThe risk for developing PPD symptoms was significant following a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 (aOR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.36–1.59), NO2 (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI:1.44–1.85), and 0.1 mg/m3 increase in CO (aOR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.99–2.69) during the whole pregnancy. Similar results were also found in exposure during each trimester of pregnancy. Besides, SO2 exposure during the second trimester was a major risk factor for developing PPD symptoms (aOR = 1.10, 95%CI:1.03–1.18). Consistent effects were also observed in DLMs, except for PM2.5 and O3, which showed no significant sensitive windows throughout pregnancy period. ConclusionExposure to PM10, CO, NO2, and SO2 in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of developing depression at 6 weeks postpartum. Our findings reveal the importance of air pollution control for preventing maternal mental health disorders among the public.

Maternal Mental Health Disorders Following Very Preterm Birth at 5 Years Post-Birth.

Mothers of children born very preterm (VP) are at increased risk of developing postnatal depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, mental health disorder rates are rarely assessed in this population compared with full-term peers, and it is unclear if postnatal distress symptoms precede higher rates of maternal mental health disorders at 5 years post-birth in both birth groups. Mothers of children born VP (n = 65; mean [SD] age at birth, 33.9 [5.0]; 72.1% tertiary educated) and full-term (n = 90; mean [SD] age at birth, 33.4 [4.0]; 88.2% tertiary educated) completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma within 4 weeks of birth. At 5 years post-birth, they participated in a structured diagnostic interview assessing mood, anxiety, and trauma-related mental health disorders, both current and over the lifetime. There was little evidence for differences between mothers in the VP and full-term groups in rates of any mental health disorder at 5 years (VP = 14%, full-term = 14%) or lifetime (VP = 41%, full-term = 37%). In mothers of children born VP, elevated postnatal post-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with higher rates of mental health disorders at 5 years (odds ratio = 21.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.35-342). Findings suggest that preterm birth may not lead to increased odds of later developing maternal mental health disorders, despite known risks of elevated postnatal distress following a VP birth. However, those with post-traumatic stress symptoms following a VP birth could be more vulnerable, and assessment and monitoring is recommended.

12.5 Paternal Depression and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Offspring

Neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) of children such as behavioral, psychiatric, cognitive, or socioemotional problems are the leading cause of morbidity in children, causing great suffering and economic burden to patients, families, and society. Most studies assessed the linkage between maternal mental health disorders such as MDD and ND, yet the role of paternal depression and children's ND is understudied. Our goal is to understand the relationship between paternal depression with ND in their children. CorrectionJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryVol. 61Issue 5PreviewIn the 2021 Scientific Proceedings supplement to JAACAP, New Research Poster 12.5 “Paternal Depression and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Offspring”, (2021;60:S184-S185), author Zeeshan Mansuri, MD was omitted from the author list. The author list should have appeared as follows: Sahar Ashraf, MD, Kaushal Shah, MD, MPH, Ramu Vadukapuram, MD, Bhumika Shah, MBBS, Shailesh Jaiswal, MD, Pranita Mainali, MD, Shailesh B. Jain, MD, MPH, Zeeshan Mansuri, MD. Full-Text PDF

Pathways To Equitable And Antiracist Maternal Mental Health Care: Insights From Black Women Stakeholders.

Structural racism causes significant inequities in the diagnosis of perinatal and maternal mental health disorders and access to perinatal and maternal mental health treatment. Black birthing populations are particularly burdened by disjointed systems of care for mental health. To identify strategies to address racism and inequities in maternal and infant mental health care, we interviewed ten Black women who support Black birthing people, including mental health practitioners, researchers, and activists, in February 2021. The five key pathways to address racism and inequities that we identified from the stakeholder interviews are educating and training practitioners; investing in the Black women mental health workforce; investing in Black women-led community-based organizations; valuing, honoring, and investing in community and traditional healing practices; and promoting integrated care and shared decision making. These pathways highlight critical resources needed to improve the quality of maternal mental health care for Black birthing populations.

Risk Factors of Domestic Violence in Pregnancy and its Correlation with Mental Health Disorders

ABSTRACT
 
 Domestic violence during pregnancy is a neglected & underreported problem having grave consequences. The world health organization (WHO) defines domestic violence as “the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by current or former male intimate partners”. Physical & verbal abuse during pregnancy is a frequent phenomenon encountered by women of both developed and underdeveloped country, belonging to all cultural communities. There is a strong evidence that domestic violence is related to maternal mental health disorders. The aim of this literature study is to find the best available research evidence on risk factors of domestic violence in pregnancy and its correlation to mental health disorders.
 To achieve the goal of this study, researcher searched for all studies published between January 2010 until August 2021 using the databases such as google scholar and PubMed. The inclusion criteria were studies that describe risk factors of domestic violence in pregnancy and its correlation with maternal mental health and written in English languange. Condition such as mental retardation, substance abuse and pre-existing mental health problems before were excluded from this study. After a long review of the titles and abstracts of 358 studies, 20 studies were identified for potential inclusion in the review. In the end, a total of 10 trials that fulfil researcher criteria were used in this literature review. The number of participants in each study varied, ranged from 300 to 1000 and the characteristics of the sample are similar.
 Domestic violence against women and mental disorders amongst pregnant women are extremely prevalent in under-resourced, urban areas and ultimately, have detrimental effects on birth outcomes. Mental health disorders are significantly associated with having experienced domestic violence in pregnancy. High risk population needs to be identified so that preventive strategies can be planned & implemented to stop the violence and improve mental health during pregnancy.

Unique Pain Management Needs for Pregnant Women with Pre-existing PTSD and Other Mental Health Disorders

This review describes how the presence of maternal mental health disorders influences peripartum pain. It provides practical guidance for tailored anesthetic plans that address the unique needs of pregnant women with such disorders. The role of maternal mental health conditions in the peripartum experience and postpartum course for the mother-baby dyad is an evolving area of interest in the current psychiatric and obstetric literature. It is only recently, however, that providers are beginning to understand how pre-existing maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression influences how these patients perceive pain during labor or cesarean section. There is, unfortunately, a lack of understanding and consistency in the approach to pain management for these patients. Emphasis on recognition of these unique patient needs and tailoring of peripartum pain management strategies is crucial in helping to achieve a positive birth experience and minimize increased postpartum mental health symptom severity and/or chronic pain for these patients. Peripartum pain during labor and/or surgical delivery can be influenced by a pre-existing history of mental health conditions. Specialized pain assessment and management strategies should accommodate the unique needs of these patients.

The impact of maternal prenatal mental health disorders on stillbirth and infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evidence about the association between maternal mental health disorders and stillbirth and infant mortality is limited and conflicting. We aimed to examine whether maternal prenatal mental health disorders are associated with stillbirth and/or infant mortality. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for studies examining the association of any maternal prenatal (occurring before or during pregnancy) mental health disorder(s) and stillbirth or infant mortality. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The between-study heterogeneity was quantified using the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Of 4487 records identified, 28 met our inclusion criteria with 27 contributing to the meta-analyses. Over 60% of studies examined stillbirth and 54% of them evaluated neonatal or infant mortality. Thirteen studies investigated the association between maternal depression and anxiety and stillbirth/infant mortality, pooled OR, 1.42 (95% CI, 1.16-1.73; I2, 76.7%). Another 13 studies evaluated the association between severe maternal mental illness and stillbirth/infant mortality, pooled OR, 1.47 (95% CI, 1.28-1.68; I2, 62.3%). We found similar results for the association of any maternal mental health disorders and stillbirth/infant mortality (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43-1.77) and in subgroup analyses according to types of fetal/infant mortality. We found no significant evidence of publication bias. Maternal prenatal mental health disorders appear to be associated with a moderate increase in the risk of stillbirth and infant mortality, although the mechanisms are unclear. Efforts to prevent and treat these disorders may reduce the scale of stillbirth/infant deaths.

Preventing maternal mental health disorders in the context of poverty: pilot efficacy of a dyadic intervention

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians provide or refer pregnant and postpartum women who are at an increased risk of perinatal depression to counseling interventions. However, this prevention goal requires effective interventions that reach women at risk of, but before, the development of a depressive disorder. We describe a pilot efficacy trial of a novel dyadic intervention to prevent common maternal mental health disorders, that is, Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting, in a sample of women at risk of maternal mental health disorders based on poverty status. We hypothesized that Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting compared with enhanced treatment as usual would reduce symptoms of maternal mental health disorders after birth. A total of 60 pregnant women who were recruited from obstetrical practices at Columbia University Irving Medical Center were randomized to the Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting (n=30) or enhanced treatment as usual (n=30) intervention. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire were used to compare maternal mood at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 16 weeks after delivery. At 6 weeks after delivery, women randomized to Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting had lower mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scores (P=.018), lower mean Hamilton Depression scores (P<.001), and lower mean Hamilton Anxiety scores (P=.041); however, the incidence of postpartum mental disorders did not differ by treatment group. The Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting, which is an intervention integrated within obstetrical care, improves subclinical symptomology for at-risk dyads at a crucial time in the early postpartum period; however, our study did not detect reductions in the incidence of postpartum mental disorders.

Role of maternal mental health disorders on stillbirth and infant mortality risk: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionMaternal mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are major public health concerns. Evidence shows a link between maternal mental health disorders and preterm birth and low birth weight....