Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious complication of childbearing affecting â¼1 in 7 mothers. Left unrecognized and untreated, it is associated with negative outcomes for mothers and their infants. Building upon research suggesting that, for some women, hormonal fluctuations after childbirth contribute to the onset of depression, clinical trials have found promise in a novel treatment approach, brexanolone infusion. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved brexanolone as the first medication with an indication specifically for PPD. Delivering brexanolone treatment to patients in need requires overcoming some logistical and clinical challenges that are unique to this approach. This brief report describes the process by which a university-affiliated obstetric-gynecologic hospital in the northeast United States successfully implemented a program to administer this novel treatment to women with PPD.
Depression, Postpartum , beta-Cyclodextrins , Depression, Postpartum/drug therapy , Drug Combinations , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnanolone/adverse effects , Pregnanolone/therapeutic use , beta-Cyclodextrins/adverse effects , beta-Cyclodextrins/therapeutic use
Depression is highly prevalent in women of childbearing age, especially during the postpartum period. Early recognition and treatment improve outcomes for mother, developing fetus, and infant. Caution is warranted when prescribing antidepressants to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, but evidence is mounting that the risks of untreated maternal depression outweigh those of pharmacologic treatment for it.
Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depression/diagnosis , Peripartum Period/psychology , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Adult , Depression/drug therapy , Depression/psychology , Depression, Postpartum/drug therapy , Depression, Postpartum/psychology , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications/psychology
BACKGROUND: Women frequently experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns during pregnancy and postpartum, impacting her and her infant's health. Patients who require management of medical conditions during the perinatal period are even more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to those without comorbid medical issues. Despite the availability of effective treatments, perinatal mental health utilization rates are strikingly low. METHODS: To address common treatment barriers, we developed a specialized mother-baby day hospital for women with psychiatric distress during the peripartum. In this report, we summarize findings from 800 patient satisfaction surveys collected from women treated at the program between 2007 and 2012. RESULTS: Findings suggest that women are highly satisfied with the treatment received, often noting that the inclusion of the baby in their treatment is a highly valued feature of care. CONCLUSION: The relevance of perinatal mental health services for patients who are followed by obstetrical medicine specialists is discussed.
