Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (Feb 2023)
Perinatal Mental Health Disorders: A Review of Lessons Learned from Obstetric Care Settings
Abstract
Nina K Ayala,1,2 Adam K Lewkowitz,1,2 Anna R Whelan,1,2 Emily S Miller1,2 1Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USACorrespondence: Nina K Ayala, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, 02905, USA, Tel +1 401-274-1122, ext. 43435, Email [email protected]: Perinatal mental health has garnered significant attention within obstetrics over the last couple of decades as the long- and short-term morbidities of untreated perinatal mental health disorders on both the mother and fetus/neonate have become increasingly apparent. There have been major strides in increasing screening for perinatal mental health disorders, clinician comfort with prescribing common psychiatric medications, and integrating mental health professionals into prenatal care via health services approaches such as the collaborative care model. Despite these advances, however, gaps still remain in the tools used for screening and diagnosis, obstetric clinician training in diagnosis and management of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as patient access to mental health care during pregnancy and especially postpartum. Herein we review the state of perinatal mental health from the perspective of the obstetric provider and identify areas of ongoing innovation.Keywords: perinatal mental health, perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, collaborative care
