Postpartum depression

What does the ob/gyn academy say about screening for PPD? I would think it would be a standard sort of thing to screen for. I agree about it coming up later, much later than a few weeks sometimes, and that would be missed. It sounds well-intentioned but might not have the desired effect and could cause problems as you pointed out.

As far as standard to screen for, I was thinking of the 6 week post-partum visit -- that it would be more meaningful to ask then rather than in the hospital. As Annie pointed out, it would be too early to tell.

[SueC]

I think they should do both. I've known people that left the hospital in the midst of some pretty severe PPD but didn't know what was happening to them, so they could have benefited from a hospital staff screening. I also know others that felt it later and might be picked up by a screening at the 6-week checkup. I really think the doctors should come out and ask, I know from personal experience that some moms might be afraid to bring it up, but might speak up if they are specifically asked about it.

Now I'm really waiting for Tara's response! As I think about it, I would hope that asking at the hospital, at a 1 or 2 week check and a 6 week post-partum check would be standard. As well as information about PPD for women who don't have symptoms at 6 weeks since it can come up after that.

If they are just checking in the hospital, I think that in some (many?) cases it could be early or hard to distinguish between babies blues and PPD. It would give a false sense of security to think that issue is done -- I mean that more for the legislators or general public than the health care providers.

I do think they should be required to do a screening, but I too would be afraid that it would open the ob's & hospitals up to even more lawsuits. Interesting topic, Tara!

My son's pediatrician did PPD screenings at his 2 day, 2 week, 1 month and 2 month appts and she spent a great deal of time making sure my mental health was in check. On the other hand, my ob never once brought the subject up. At my 6 week checkup, he asked how motherhood was treating me. I started to tell him about how I felt overwhelmed and exhausted, especially from the lack of sleep, and his response was, "Didn't I give you my copy of Babywise to read?"

"Didn't I give you my copy of Babywise to read?"

Wow.

My OB's didn't do any PPD screenings either. Well, maybe they did - they always asked how you were, and they weren't they type to cut you off. I really thought of them more as friends. That said - I was pretty blue and at one point really felt like I probably had minor PPD, but was too embarrassed to speak up (why? can't tell you.)

[mommax3]

I think giving out Babywise to new parents should be grounds for a lawsuit.....but that is just MY opinion!

I will have to ask DH about all of this. He certainly missed the boat with ME after we had our third, but he is probably Mr. Sensitivity with his actual patients......you all know how that goes.

After I had my first baby, I remember my (female, grandmotherly-but-totally-cool) pediatrician keeping tabs on my mental health a little bit. It kind of makes sense.....you are in there so often with the baby, and talking so much about the baby's sleep habits, etc. that there is a more natural segue into how YOU are doing with all of that.

Interesting topic.

Sally

DW has sent several of her patients mothers back to their docs.

I think giving out Babywise to new parents should be grounds for a lawsuit.....but that is just MY opinion!

GO SALLY!!!

I'm realizing that my response to this is certainly colored by my experience -- having my OBs with both pregnancies ask about how I was doing and, as Jenn said, letting me have time to talk. I had baby blues with my first and my dr's office was helpful and followed up.

I've been trying to find a copy of the bill or more information. Here's a news story:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/ ... 41132.html

And info from a blog:
http://postpartumprogress.typepad.com/weblog/

I couldn't find the story on ABC.

Here's the bill.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills ... 213_T1.PDF

I sounds like the will require screening as well as education for the mom and other family members at the hospital and follow-up visits.

By "education" it probably means "sign and say you've read it" kind of thing -- like the HIPPA stuff.

All birthing facilities in the State [should] shall provide
22 departing new mothers and fathers and other family members, as
23 appropriate, with complete information about postpartum
24 depression, including its symptoms, methods of coping with the
25 illness and treatment resources;

Yeah, but maybe a little more than that? Probably like any of those packets you take home.

[Amiens]

I could see how this would become a slippery slope. I, however, favor this as I am being treated for post-partum depression. The OB ward screened me the day after Reed's birth, as well as upon discharge. Then at my 6 week appointment my OB asked how I was doing, and I was quite candid that I felt like I was starting to spiral downward into a wierd funk. Hence I was put on Zoloft, and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don't remember being this thrilled or enjoying this part of babyhood with Brigham, as I am now with Reed. My OB has me scheduled to come in when Reed is 6 months old to do a follow-up and see how things are going.


Crystal