Postpartum Depression: Identification and Treatment in the Clinic Setting

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2020 Sep;47(3):409-419. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2020.05.001.

Abstract

Perinatal care, including the management of mental health issues, often falls under the auspices of primary care providers. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common problem that affects up to 15% of women. Most women at risk can be identified before delivery based on psychiatric history, symptoms during pregnancy, and recent psychosocial stressors. Fortunately, there have been a variety of treatment studies using antidepressants, nonpharmacologic interactions, and most recently, allopregnanolone (Brexanolone) infusion that have shown benefits. The most commonly used screening scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a 10-item self-rated scale, has been translated into a variety of languages.

Keywords: Antidepressants; Diagnosis; Postpartum depression; Prevalence; Psychotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Depression, Postpartum / diagnosis*
  • Depression, Postpartum / drug therapy
  • Depression, Postpartum / epidemiology
  • Depression, Postpartum / therapy*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mass Screening
  • Neurosteroids / therapeutic use
  • Perinatal Care
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnanolone / therapeutic use
  • Prevalence
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Neurosteroids
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • brexanolone
  • Pregnanolone