A systematic review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology finds that both acupuncture and self-hypnosis are effective, non-drug pain management strategies for use during labor and birth.

The team looked at 14 trials involving over 1,500 women randomized into groups who used pharmacologic (drug) pain management, no treatment, a placebo treatment, and an alternative pain management strategy such as self-hypnosis or acupuncture.

They found that women receiving acupuncture are less likely to feel that they need/want drugs for pain relief during labor, including epidural, and may have a lowered need for oxytocin. They also found that hypnosis reduces the need/want for drugs including epidrual and improves maternal satisfaction with the birth experience. Acupuncture may also result in higher rates of vaginal birth and less use of oxytocin.

Interestingly enough, no statistically significant evidence was found of benefits from acupressure, aromatherapy, massage, relaxation, or audio-analgesia. However, those trials were few and quite small in scope - So we can't rule out benefits from these practices just yet!

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

A new study conducted with 1,200+ pregnant women in Denmark and published in the British Medical Journal finds that moderate amounts of caffeine intake during pregnancy do not appear to contribute to premature delivery or low-birthweight.

Previous studies on this topic have been inconclusive - Leading to mixed messages from healthcare providers and pregnancy books, and leaving thousands of expectant moms feeling guilty and conflicted about even the most modest coffee intake during pregnancy.

To read more about this study, click here.

To read the March of Dimes recommendations on caffeine intake during pregnancy, click here.

As always, more research and larger studies on this question are needed! But as March of Dimes suggests, weighing all the current evidence leads to the conclusion that controlled, moderate caffeine intake during pregnancy is likely safe.

Posted by Sarah M. at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (1)

Just received this announcement from the press office at the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

WHAT:
Dr. Thomas R. Insel, Director, NIMH, will present on the prevalence and global burden of depression, its enormous economic impact, and new advances in treatment at the World Economic Forum annual meeting. Depression is the leading cause of medical disability for people worldwide age 15-44 according to the World Health Organization's World Health Report on the global burden of disease. Depression is common among the world's population, resulting in significant economic costs. Dr. Insel will also participate in two additional sessions -- one that focuses on funding for mental health research and innovation, and another that addresses urbanization from a public health perspective.

WHEN:
January 24-28, 2007

WHERE:
Davos, Switzerland

WHY:
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, "Shaping the Global Agenda -- The Shifting Power Equation." The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. The annual meeting is the Forum's flagship event that engages leaders from business, politics, religious groups and non-government organizations to shape the global, regional and industry agendas.

Posted by Sarah M. at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (6)

A new study out of the Centre for Addition and Mental Health in Canada finds that separated and divorced moms are disproportionately affected by depressive disorders and alcohol abuse than are married and single (never before married) mothers.

Read more about these findings in Science Daily.

Posted by Sarah M. at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (14)

Thanks to clinician and advocate Dr. Pec Indman for sharing this announcement:

"We are pleased to announce that the website is now officially up and running! This site is an NIMH-supported educational resource offering credible, convenient, and up-to-date materials to help screen, diagnose, treat, and refer women with postpartum depression.

The healthcare providers section has an enormous amount of content, including CME/CE for physicians, nurses, and social workers. The patient section, available in both English and Spanish, contains helpful materials for women with PPD and information for friends and family members."

Go to www.mededppd.org.

Posted by Sarah M. at 08:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (352) | TrackBacks (6)

This from the Madison, Wisconsin Capital Times:

"Radio ads target Latino mothers: Focus is postpartum depression"

Posted by Sarah M. at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"Counseling can prevent postpartum depression"

Posted by Sarah M. at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (477) | TrackBacks (3)

A new study published in the December 15, 2006 issue of the Maternal and Child Health Journal "Online First" found "significant differences for depressive symptomatology in new mohters by race/ethnicity and nativity."

The study's data came from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort Nine-Month Survey, a study of home and care experiences of a nationally-representative cohort of children from birth through first grade who were born in the U.S. in 2001. But the current study's analysis looked only at mothers with infants under age one who had participated in the home interview and had a valid CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale) score. They also looked at sub-samples of mothers who had "moderate" or "severe" depression.

Here's a summary of findings from the MCH Library at Georgetown University (bolding emphasis is mine):

* Among non-Hispanic whites, no significant difference was found in the prevalence of depressive symptoms by nativity.

* Minority mothers and foreign-born mothers were about twice as likely not to think they needed
help or not to talk to any health professional compared to non-Hispanic white mothers and U.S.-born mothers, respectively.

Reference:
Huang ZJ, Wong FY, Ronzio CR, et al. 2007. Depressive symptomatology and mental health help-seeking patterns of U.S.- and foreign-born mothers. Maternal and Child Health Journal Online First, published online December 15, 2006.

More information is available from the MCH Library's knowledge path, Postpartum Depression, at
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_postpartum.html.

Posted by Sarah M. at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Did you know that the Postpartum Progress blog, authored by advocate Katherine Stone, features an online album of "Surviving & Thriving" moms and their children?

The album includes mamas who have survived perinatal mood disorders and gone on to be happy, healthy parents who are feeling like themselves again and enjoying their kids. If you'd like to join the album, contact Katherine at: stonecallis (at) msn (dot) com. Your positive outcome can give hope to other women and families, letting them know that it can and does get better.

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Have you heard about the major changes being enacted by the Chinese government on adoptions to American parents? Under the new restrictions, parents who take antidepressant medication and/or have a history of depression are prohibited from adopting from China.

Others who are no longer eligible to adopt are single mothers, couples who have been married less than two years, anyone who has been divorced and re-married less than five years, a couple that includes an adult over age 50 or who is overweight, etc.

According to the Chinese government, these restrictions may...or may not...be temporary. FYI, China is currently the number one nation for American overseas adoptions.

If you're thinking of adopting a child - whether from the U.S. or abroad - the National Council on Adoption is a good place to start educating yourself and gathering information. For a good primer on international adoption, click here.

Posted by Sarah M. at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (9)

A new study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found little prenatal impact of antidepressant exposure on behaviors of four-year-old children.

A team of Canadian and Korean researchers studied four-year-olds who were exposed to antidepressant medications (specifically, SSRIs) during the prenatal period, and found no significant behavioral differences between the antidepressant-exposed preschoolers and the non-exposed preschoolers.

Equally important finding = What DID play a significant role in the behavior of these four-year-old children was the mother's current current statte of mental health and the level of parental stress.

This is a small study, and the child behaviors it looks at primarily include attentiveness, activity, and impulsiveness - But it yields yet another piece in the puzzle of our knowledge about 1.) Use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy, and 2.) The effects on children of parental mental health and parental stress.

Posted by Sarah M. at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (14)

Tom Davis at the Record-Columnist in New Jersey, has a new column on Susan Stone and the work of Postpartum Support International (PSI). Check it out:

"Raising postpartum depression awareness"

Thanks to Tom for spreading the word about PPD as a medical issue and PSI as a partner in prevention, policy, and care.

Posted by Sarah M. at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to the producers and writers of NBC's comedy Scrubs for treating last week's storyline -- on a new-mom character (Carla) suffering from PPD -- with decency, accuracy, dare I say it (?), panache.

I admit, I was skeptical when I heard that the show would deal with the subject of perinatal mood disorders. Scrubs is a comedy after all...and one of the most "irreverent" on the TV dial, with leanings toward potty-humor and general crassness. It's also in a 30-minute time-slot, which made it even less likely that a little-understood, stigmatized medical condition would be well-represented. But I must say, I felt that the Scrubs team did a better job in their brief representation than do most television dramas - and even better than some news-magazine programming.

I especially loved the one-liner in Scrubs about the absurdity of birthing women taking medical advice "from an aging man-actor who worships a dead science fiction writer." Zing!

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've blogged on this research study before, but it bears repeating, as NIMH is consistently in need of participants! Blogger-advocate Katherine Stone of the fabulous Postpartum Progress has posted an updated call-for-participants:

"NIMH Looking for Women in Greater DC Area for Important PPD Research"

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love the personal blog of fellow Washingtonian and mother-journalist Tracy Thompson, whose new book, The Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children, & Struggling with Depression I'm about to delve into with a book club comprised of DC moms.

Tracy's blog is Maternally Challenged, and reading it is for me, at times, like looking into the mirror.

Posted by Sarah M. at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The Marce Society has produced a comprehensive self-study aid for midwives, childbirth educators, doulas, community health workers, and home-visit nurses: "Emotional Effects of Childbirth."

This 154-page print resource is an updated and revised edition of the first printing, published in 1994. It can be ordered directly from The Marce Society as an individual publication for personal study, as a CD with organizational rights to reproduce for educational purposes within an organization, or as a four-ring hard copy with the reprint rights.

Posted by Sarah M. at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The latest edition of PSI News from Postpartum Support International features a great column by Dr. Sandra Nolley of the University of Washington, Seattle, who reports on the Marce Society's Biennial International Scientific Meeting in September 2006 in the U.K.

A couple of striking excerpts of Dr. Nolley's report from the meeting:

On PPD in developing nations:
"Women in developing, and therefore low-wealth, countries, are twice as likely to experience PPD as women in developed, high-wealth countries. Most prevention intervention studies in developing countries have not been effective, but a recent randomly controlled study of rural women found a 30 percent decrease in infant mortality in women who participated in mom-to-mom support groups during pregnancy."

On the causes/triggers of PMDs:
"Although most clinicians and postpartum women believe there is a hormonal trigger for postpartum mood disorders, most human research has not found any difference between the reproductive hormone levels in postpartum women with and without PMDs.

Rubinow (2005) summarized animal research where the levels or changes of estrogen and progesterone in female brains triggered affective disturbances only in some females, but had no effect on other females. He used the term 'context of vulnerability' to describe this difference between women and described some of the possible mechanisms. Greater understanding of the underpinnings of the regulation of affective state is necessary to help identify therapeutic targets to reduce the suffering of women with these disorders."

The next Marce Society Biennial Scientific Meeting will be held in 2008 in Australia.

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The question of antidepressant use is a persistent and vexing one. A tough decision for both healthcare provider and consumer alike.

Check out this article from 2001 NeuroPsychiatry Reviews:
"Which is more toxic to a fetus - Antidepressants or maternal depression?"

The article does a good job of summarizing, expanding, and reflecting upon the findings of Wisner, et al in 2000, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry as "Risk-benefit decisionmaking for treatment of depression during pregnancy."

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The very first PMD (perinatal mood disorder) conference in West Virginia is set for April 18-29 at the Chief Logan Conference Center in Mingo County.

Sponsored by Mingo County Partners in Prevention, this two-day conference will include workshops on identification, intervention, support and prevention of PPD (postpartum depression) and other PMDs.

Birdie Meyer of Postpartum Support International (PSI) will be a featured speaker, and the new PSI coordinator volunteer for West Virginia, Garnet Fitchpatrick, who is on the staff at ABLE Families, has been instrumental in making this event happen.

Free CEUs will be available to professionals in the field. For more info or to register, send email to Garnet Fitchpatrick at: gfitchpatrick (at) ablefamilies (dot) org.

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ms. magazine has released its:

Top 10 Victories for Women in 2006

In the field of health, their editors cite these developments:

The Food and Drug Administration issues two approvals for women's health and lives: after a long campaign by women's rights and reproductive health organizations, emergency contraception is approved to be sold without a prescription for women 18 and over; Gardasil, a vaccine for women and girls that prevents the spread of certain strands of the human papilloma virus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer, is approved.

Posted by Sarah M. at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (18) | TrackBacks (3)

This quote from David Shern, PhD, president and CEO of Mental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association, NMHA), explaining the results of the organization's recent attiduinal survey on stress, has been picked up by several news outlets and is helping to raise public understanding of everyday mental health concerns:

"The majority of Americans are struggling to find a balance among the multitude of challenges that they have in their busy lives. . .People who have parenting responsibilities report the greatest level of stress . . . About 40 percent of them report three or more significant stressors in their lives."

Dr. Shern's comments were featured in a December 4, 2006 Voice of America (VOA) story on stress in the industrialized world and have also appeared in Men's News Daily, Contacto magazine, and NBC's Your Total Health.

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A new review-of-the-research report published in the December '06 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that the benefits of fatty acids (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in fish oil) for treating depression relief remain unclear.

Their conclusion: The research done in this area isn't extensive enough to draw any certainties from. Larger studies are needed. And more of them.

Here's a summary of the findings from Reuters Health.

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to the fabulous Docs for Tots organization for sharing this news:

Docs for Tots has been awarded a grant from the Kellogg Foundation to educate children's doctors, parents, early childhood education and care providers, and the public about the problems related to maternal depression and infant and toddler mental health issues.

The Maternal, Infant, and Toddler Mental Health Advocacy Project seeks to raise awareness of mental health issues of new mothers and infants and toddlers as it relates to early learning and development and later school readiness; offer concrete opportunities for prevention, screening and referral; and strongly advocate for the expansion of mental health outreach activities and services. There will be many opportunities for doctors to get involved with this project, so physicians and advocates should continue to check the DFT website for updates as the project moves forward.

To learn more about infant mental health, click here for talking points.

Posted by Sarah M. at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Thanks so much to Susan Stone, current president of PSI (Postpartum Support International), for sharing this important news with us:

Yesterday, January 4, 2007, U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush [Illinois] reintroduced The Melanie Stokes Act to the 110th Congress as H.R. 20! (To learn about Melanie Stokes' story, click here.)

Susan writes, "It is crucial that we generate additional momentum for passage of this bill by placing calls to our local Congressmen encouraging their support of the legislation.

Please, without delay, determine your local Congressman by clicking on the link below and immediately placing a call to their office, strongly requesting their support for passage of H.R. 20. We have a window of opportunity to finally enact protections for all women which will include assessment, treatment, and education about perinatal mood disorders. Your call could elicit the deciding vote."

To contact your representative in Congress, click here.

FYI, the current status of this bill, as of January 4: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Yeah, weird, I know. The protocols of Congress are mysterious indeed.)

Posted by Sarah M. at 06:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The currently reigning "Mrs. Canada," Irene Serra-Selitto, has made postpartum depression (PPD) her platform issue, and says she will use her high-profile position to help raise awareness. Serra-Selitto is herself a survivor of PPD.

As part of her responsibilities, Mrs. Canada will make 12 public appearances during the year to promote her platform issue. She's already appeared on the Canadian TV show Daytime, and spoke at a sporting event.

Canadian news outlets or civic organizations wishing to book an appearance by Serra-Selitto shoudl go to www.canadapageants.com or call 1.866.-574.STAR (7827).

Posted by Sarah M. at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBacks (0)

The Society for Women's Health Research offers some excellent, research-based fact sheets on women and mental health. Be sure to check these out:

"Sex Differences in Mental Health" (a scientific fact sheet aimed at the healthcare professional, researcher, and health/medical journalist)

"Postpartum Depression: Should You be Screened?" (a consumer fact sheet aimed at women, their partners, and families)

The Society also made one of its 2006 Women's Health Research Journalism Awards to radio reporter Jim Ryan of WBAP News 820 in Ft. Worth, Texas, for his segment "Beyond the Baby Blues." Ryan's reporting was prompted by a series of local high-profile cases involving children murdered by their mothers [in suburban Dallas] between 2001-2004. The segment was recognized for "getting past sensational headlines," reporting that "these incidents are often related to mental health illnesses, which can go unrecognized and untreated before tragedy strikes."

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Washington, DC-based, nationally syndicated radio program Parents' Perspective recently did a show on maternal depression, featuring a good interview with author/journalist Tracy Thompson, who wrote the new book Ghost in the House: Motherhood, Raising Children, & Struggling with Depression.

Missed the show? No problem... You can listen to this program as a podcast!

Posted by Sarah M. at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mother-advocate Katherine Stone, blogger at Postpartum Progress, has posted an important news item for New York: State Senator Morahan is backing legislation that mandates screening for all new mothers, and expanded public education campaigns on PPD.

This would be a big step forward for women and families in the state... So, New Yorkers, let Morahan and the other members of the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities hear from you with your strong voice of support!

Posted by Sarah M. at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, motherhood. The most powerful, romanticized, under-valued institution in Western culture, with a history and a mythology all its own. The scapegoat for individuals and societies to displace our greatest hopes, fears, and fantasies upon.

Along these lines, check out a new MSNBC story, "What's the real measure of a 'good mom'?: Judging mothers has turned into a popular American pastime, many say." (Nothing new in American discourse, but nevertheless seems to have been taken to new levels via new information technologies and a frantic cult of celebrity.)

Even more revealing than the story itself, check out the readers' discussion on MSNBC's message board.

Posted by Sarah M. at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

A new article on the importance of thyroid testing for women during (and after) pregnancy.

The thyroid is a major player in the endocrine system. And thyroid function is linked to mood function (among many other things). So for women experiencing depression/anxiety during pregnancy or after giving birth, having the thyroid checked with a simple blood test is really important! Thyroid irregularities can be treated effectively... but first you have to know that the problem exists.

For more on this topic, click here and here.

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (7)

New state and local coordinators have joined the Postpartum Support International (PSI) network of volunteer advocates and professionals who provide support and information to women and families in need.

If you work with moms in one of these geographic areas, be sure to network with these new PSI coordinators. Together, you can make a difference:

Rebecca Levin Greenblatt in Delaware

Juliana Nason Ashe in Washington State

Lara Mattson-Radle in Montana

Gina Gelormini in Northwest Florida

Alana Jennings in Upstate New York

Linda Boardman and Martha Tole in Maine

Mary Joan Brinson and Kristie Robertson in Ontario

To look up contact information for PSI volunteers worldwide, click here. For more about the work of PSI, go to www.postpartum.net.

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mother and PPD survivor Carolyn Brink has co-authored with Carol Harcarik a new book sharing her story, Mommies Cry, Too: A Painful & Triumphant Story of Postpartum Depression.

Carolyn's experience was also recently the subject of a feature story in Virginia newspaper The Richmond Times-Dispatch: ""A Beginning to Forget."

Carolyn's story contributes to the ongoing dialogue among professionals and advocates about the use of ECT for treating postpartum mood disorders (PPMDs). This form of treatment is more common in particular geographic regions, and the debate continues about when and how to use it. We also continue to look at the risk and incidence of permanent memory loss suffered by some who undergo ECT, as well as potential long-term impact on attachment and infant mental health whem moms are treated with ECT. This form of treatment can be a source of additional trauma for some women suffering from emotional difficulties, and it's not a decision that is taken lightly. Yet, many are grateful for ECT. Many women and many healthcare providers have been witness to highly effective, minimal-side-effect application of ECT for PPMDs. So, like a good many areas of psychiatric medical practice.... more research is needed!

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health(NIH) in Washington, DC is seeking public input on the direction of new research.

Here's the announcement from the Office of Constituency Relations at NIMH:

NIMH is seeking input from the clinical research community, mental health professionals, patient advocates and individuals living with mental illnesses, private and public mental health service systems and providers, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and other interested groups about important public mental health research questions that could be addressed using the infrastructure provided by three NIMH clinical research networks - the Bipolar Trials Network (BTN), the Depression Trials Network (DTN), and the Schizophrenia Trials Network (STN). Click here.

Please consider submitting your ideas and/or sharing this announcement with your colleagues who may be interested.

Worth a read is a new message from the NIMH director, available on their website: "Mental Health Research: Into the Future."

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)