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Postpartum depression - Prevention

Alternative Names

Depression - postpartum; Postnatal depression

Prevention:

Having good social support from family, friends, and coworkers may help reduce the seriousness of postpartum depression, but may not prevent it.

Screening questionnaires may help detect depression or risks for depression early.

Women who had postpartum depression after past pregnancies may be less likely to develop postpartum depression again if they start taking antidepressant medications after they deliver.

Reviewed last on: 9/4/2010
David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health: Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders. Accessed August 10, 2010.

Pearlstein T, Howard M, Salisbury A, Zlotnick C. Postpartum depression. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;200:357-364.

ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins--Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin: Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists number 92. Use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy and lactation. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111:1001-1020.

Depression during and after pregnancy. Updated March 6, 2009. Accessed August 10, 2010.

Major depression

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Postpartum depression - Prevention

Alternative Names

Prevention:

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