Postpartum Gray Literature

Annotation: Panelists discuss how postpartum depression differs from the normative “baby blues” experience, with postpartum depression being more persistent, severe, and functionally impairing compared with the temporary emotional fluctuations of baby blues that resolve within two weeks.

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Keywords: Mental health, Perinatal care, Postpartum depression, Resources for professionals

Annotation: This interactive U.S. maternal mental health map provides a "risk factor score" for each county in the country based on the number of mental health providers, annual births, the provider ratio (number of reproductive-aged women vs. providers), and the provider shortage gap. The map visually illustrates which parts of the country have the highest and lowest maternal mental health gaps in access to care. The Policy Center website includes a description of the data sets and the methodology used to determine the "risk factor score," along with a report summarizing the mental health provider shortages and population risk.

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Keywords: Access to care, Data, Data analysis, Data collection, Interactive media, Maps, Maternal health, Mental health, Mental health professionals, Risk assessment

Annotation: This toolkit provides actionable information, algorithms, and clinical resources to help obstetric providers address perinatal mental health conditions. The toolkit includes guidance on implementing perinatal mental health screening, discussing mental health with patients, and responding to positive screens. It contains patient screening tools for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as provider scoring guides. The toolkit outlines treatment options for mild, moderate, and severe illness, including medication and therapy referrals. It also includes algorithms for assessing risk of suicide and harm to baby, managing bipolar disorder and psychosis, and follow-up treatment. Patient handouts cover an action plan for mood changes, a self-care plan, and educational resources. The appendix provides a summary of perinatal mental health conditions, the PCL-C screening tool for PTSD, follow-up screening forms, and a patient safety screener.

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Keywords: Guidelines, Mental health, Obstetrical care, Perinatal care, Screening, Service integration

Annotation: This issue brief provides an overview of universal screening for maternal mental health disorders, which are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth. The brief outlines the importance of screening in identifying at-risk mothers and enabling early treatment. It discusses commonly recommended screening tools for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and psychosis, as well as considerations for screening in racially and ethnically diverse populations. The document reviews recommendations from professional organizations on when and how often screening should occur, highlighting the role of obstetricians as primary screeners. Barriers to screening and follow-up care are addressed, including mental health provider shortages, reimbursement challenges, and the bifurcated mental health system. The brief also covers recent developments such as the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage and the creation of a HEDIS quality measure to track screening rates.

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Keywords: Maternal health, Measures, Mental disorders, Mental health, Resources for professionals, Screening