Postpartum Support (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress)
Handouts by Cynthia Good Mojab
Good Mojab, C. Coping with Maternal Stress and Depression. Hillsboro, OR: LifeCircle Counseling and
Consulting, LLC 2006. Full text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other uses require the written
permission of the author.
Good Mojab, C. Mental Health Care for Breastfeeding Mothers with Postpartum Depression. Hillsboro, OR:
LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC 2006. Full text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other
uses require the written permission of the author.
Good Mojab, C. When Birth is Traumatic. Hillsboro, OR: LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC 2006. Full
text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other uses require the written permission of the author.
Screening Tool to Identify Risk for Depression
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. This scale was developed to screen mothers for postpartum
depression. It does not yield a diagnosis. It does yield a score which indicates whether a mother appears to
be at risk for postpartum depression and warrants a referral to a mental health care provider for evaluation,
diagnosis, and treatment. Full text.
Organizations and Websites
Baby Blues Connection (www.babybluesconnection.org): Provides information and support for postpartum
mood disorders.
Depression After Delivery (www.depressionafterdelivery.com): Provides information and support regarding
mental health issues related to childbearing.
Emory Women's Mental Health Program (www.emorywomensprogram.org): Focuses on the evaluation and
treatment of emotional disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Website includes articles on
medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Family Mental Health Foundation (www.fmhf.org): Provides information and support regarding postpartum
depression, implements screening programs, and conducts professional education and outreach.
Gentle Birth (www.gentlebirth.com): Provides information geared toward helping families have a safe, gentle,
positive birth experience. Includes resources related to postpartum depression
(www.gentlebirth.org/archives/ppdepres.html).
Granite Scientific Press (www.granitescientific.com): The imprint and website of health psychologist Kathy
Kendall-Tackett. Offers information on a wide variety of topics including maternal depression.
HealingResources.Info (www.healingresources.info): Offers information on preventing and healing
stress-related problems, including anxiety and depression.
Kellymom.com (www.kellymom.com): Provides breastfeeding information and support, including information
on postpartum depression (www.kellymom.com/ppd/index.html).
Massachussettes General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health (www.womensmentalhealth.org):
Offers information on a variety of women's mental health issues, including the use of medications during
pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mommy Chats (www.mommychats.com): Offers Internet chats on a variety of mothering-related topics.
Motherisk (www.motherisk.org): Offers evidence-based information on the risk or safety of drugs, chemicals
and disease during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Perinatal Depression website of the Virginia Department of Health and the University of Virginia
(www.perinataldepression.org): Offers online training to help health care providers identify and treat women
with perinatal depression.
Postpartum Dads (www.postpartumdads.org): A volunteer based outreach project affiliated with Postpartum
Support International (see next resource) offering information and support to men coping with their partner's
postpartum depression.
Postpartum Support International (www.postpartum.net): Provides information and support for postpartum
mood disorders.
TABS (www.tabs.org.nz): Provides information and support for women recovering from a traumatic childbirth
and from birth stress.
The Marcé Society (www.marcesociety.com): An international society for the understanding, prevention and
treatment of mental illness related to childbearing.
Books and Articles
Beck, C. and Driscoll, J. Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Clinician's Guide. Boston: Jones and
Bartlett Publishers 2006.
Bennet, S. and Indman, P. Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum
Depression. San Jose, CA: Moodswings Press 2003.
Bing, E. and Colman, L. Laughter and Tears. New York: Henry Holt & Co., Inc. 1997.
Davis, E., Snidman, N., Wadhwa, P., Glynn, L., Schetter, C., and Sandman, C.: Prenatal maternal anxiety and
depression predict behavioral reactivity in infants. Infancy 2004; 6(3):319-331.
Einarson, A. The safety of psychotropic drug use during pregnancy: A review. Medscape General Medicine
7(4):, 2005.
URL: http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/4532_pnt
Gaynes, B., Gavin N., Meltzer-Brody, S., Lohr, K., Swinson, T., Gartlehner, G., Brody, S., and Miller, W. Perinatal
Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology
Assessment No. 119. (Prepared by the RTI-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center,
under Contract No. 290-02-0016.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E006-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality. February 2005. URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat1a.chapter.86039. URL to summary:
www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/peridepsum.pdf
Gittleman, A. and Smith, M. Why Am I always So Tired? San Francisco: Harper 2000.
Hale, T. Medications and Mothers' Milk: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology. Amarillo, TX: Pharmasoft
Publishing 2004. (Note: This book is updated every year. Please consult the most recent edition to make an
informed decision about medication use during breastfeeding. Most medications are compatible with
breastfeeding. This book reviews the available research on hundreds of medications.)
Issokon, D. Effects of childhood abuse on childbearing and perinatal health. In K. Kendall-Tackett (Ed.) Health
Consequences of Abuse in the Family: A Clinical Guide for Evidence-Based Practice. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association 2004. URL: www.reproheart.com/pdf/apachapter.pdf
LoCicero, A., Weiss, D., and Issokson, D. Postpartum depression: Proposal for prevention through an
integrated care and support network. Applied and Preventive Psychology 1997; 6:169-178. URL:
www.reproheart.com/resources/pro/proarticles/postpardum.html
Kendall-Tackett, K. Depression in New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, and Treatment Alternatives. New
York: The Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press 2005.
Kendall-Tackett, K. The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood: Coping with Stress, Depression, and Burnout.
Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2001.
La Leche League International. My doctor has prescribed a medication for me. Is it safe for me to continue
breastfeeding my baby while I take the medicine? Frequently Asked Questions on the LLLI Website.
URL: http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/medications.html
Murray, L. Postpartum Depression and Child Development. New York: The Guilford Press 1997.
Welford, H. The National Childbirth Trust Book of Postnatal Depression. London: Thorsons and National
Childbirth Trust 1998.
Shaw, F. Composing Myself: A Journey Through Postpartum Depression. South Royalton, Vermont: Steerforth
Press 1998.
Shaw, K., Turner, J., Del Mar, C. Are tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan effective treatments for depression? A
meta-analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2002;36(4):488. URL for summary of the
study: /www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01046.x/abs/
Sichel, D. and Driscoll, D. Women's Moods: What Every Woman Must Know about Hormones, the Brain, and
Emotional Health. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1999.
Good Mojab, C. Coping with Maternal Stress and Depression. Hillsboro, OR: LifeCircle Counseling and
Consulting, LLC 2006. Full text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other uses require the written
permission of the author.
Good Mojab, C. Mental Health Care for Breastfeeding Mothers with Postpartum Depression. Hillsboro, OR:
LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC 2006. Full text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other
uses require the written permission of the author.
Good Mojab, C. When Birth is Traumatic. Hillsboro, OR: LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC 2006. Full
text. One copy may be printed for personal use. All other uses require the written permission of the author.
Screening Tool to Identify Risk for Depression
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. This scale was developed to screen mothers for postpartum
depression. It does not yield a diagnosis. It does yield a score which indicates whether a mother appears to
be at risk for postpartum depression and warrants a referral to a mental health care provider for evaluation,
diagnosis, and treatment. Full text.
Organizations and Websites
Baby Blues Connection (www.babybluesconnection.org): Provides information and support for postpartum
mood disorders.
Depression After Delivery (www.depressionafterdelivery.com): Provides information and support regarding
mental health issues related to childbearing.
Emory Women's Mental Health Program (www.emorywomensprogram.org): Focuses on the evaluation and
treatment of emotional disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Website includes articles on
medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Family Mental Health Foundation (www.fmhf.org): Provides information and support regarding postpartum
depression, implements screening programs, and conducts professional education and outreach.
Gentle Birth (www.gentlebirth.com): Provides information geared toward helping families have a safe, gentle,
positive birth experience. Includes resources related to postpartum depression
(www.gentlebirth.org/archives/ppdepres.html).
Granite Scientific Press (www.granitescientific.com): The imprint and website of health psychologist Kathy
Kendall-Tackett. Offers information on a wide variety of topics including maternal depression.
HealingResources.Info (www.healingresources.info): Offers information on preventing and healing
stress-related problems, including anxiety and depression.
Kellymom.com (www.kellymom.com): Provides breastfeeding information and support, including information
on postpartum depression (www.kellymom.com/ppd/index.html).
Massachussettes General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health (www.womensmentalhealth.org):
Offers information on a variety of women's mental health issues, including the use of medications during
pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mommy Chats (www.mommychats.com): Offers Internet chats on a variety of mothering-related topics.
Motherisk (www.motherisk.org): Offers evidence-based information on the risk or safety of drugs, chemicals
and disease during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Perinatal Depression website of the Virginia Department of Health and the University of Virginia
(www.perinataldepression.org): Offers online training to help health care providers identify and treat women
with perinatal depression.
Postpartum Dads (www.postpartumdads.org): A volunteer based outreach project affiliated with Postpartum
Support International (see next resource) offering information and support to men coping with their partner's
postpartum depression.
Postpartum Support International (www.postpartum.net): Provides information and support for postpartum
mood disorders.
TABS (www.tabs.org.nz): Provides information and support for women recovering from a traumatic childbirth
and from birth stress.
The Marcé Society (www.marcesociety.com): An international society for the understanding, prevention and
treatment of mental illness related to childbearing.
Books and Articles
Beck, C. and Driscoll, J. Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Clinician's Guide. Boston: Jones and
Bartlett Publishers 2006.
Bennet, S. and Indman, P. Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum
Depression. San Jose, CA: Moodswings Press 2003.
Bing, E. and Colman, L. Laughter and Tears. New York: Henry Holt & Co., Inc. 1997.
Davis, E., Snidman, N., Wadhwa, P., Glynn, L., Schetter, C., and Sandman, C.: Prenatal maternal anxiety and
depression predict behavioral reactivity in infants. Infancy 2004; 6(3):319-331.
Einarson, A. The safety of psychotropic drug use during pregnancy: A review. Medscape General Medicine
7(4):, 2005.
URL: http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/4532_pnt
Gaynes, B., Gavin N., Meltzer-Brody, S., Lohr, K., Swinson, T., Gartlehner, G., Brody, S., and Miller, W. Perinatal
Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology
Assessment No. 119. (Prepared by the RTI-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center,
under Contract No. 290-02-0016.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E006-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality. February 2005. URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat1a.chapter.86039. URL to summary:
www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/peridepsum.pdf
Gittleman, A. and Smith, M. Why Am I always So Tired? San Francisco: Harper 2000.
Hale, T. Medications and Mothers' Milk: A Manual of Lactational Pharmacology. Amarillo, TX: Pharmasoft
Publishing 2004. (Note: This book is updated every year. Please consult the most recent edition to make an
informed decision about medication use during breastfeeding. Most medications are compatible with
breastfeeding. This book reviews the available research on hundreds of medications.)
Issokon, D. Effects of childhood abuse on childbearing and perinatal health. In K. Kendall-Tackett (Ed.) Health
Consequences of Abuse in the Family: A Clinical Guide for Evidence-Based Practice. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association 2004. URL: www.reproheart.com/pdf/apachapter.pdf
LoCicero, A., Weiss, D., and Issokson, D. Postpartum depression: Proposal for prevention through an
integrated care and support network. Applied and Preventive Psychology 1997; 6:169-178. URL:
www.reproheart.com/resources/pro/proarticles/postpardum.html
Kendall-Tackett, K. Depression in New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, and Treatment Alternatives. New
York: The Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press 2005.
Kendall-Tackett, K. The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood: Coping with Stress, Depression, and Burnout.
Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2001.
La Leche League International. My doctor has prescribed a medication for me. Is it safe for me to continue
breastfeeding my baby while I take the medicine? Frequently Asked Questions on the LLLI Website.
URL: http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/medications.html
Murray, L. Postpartum Depression and Child Development. New York: The Guilford Press 1997.
Welford, H. The National Childbirth Trust Book of Postnatal Depression. London: Thorsons and National
Childbirth Trust 1998.
Shaw, F. Composing Myself: A Journey Through Postpartum Depression. South Royalton, Vermont: Steerforth
Press 1998.
Shaw, K., Turner, J., Del Mar, C. Are tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan effective treatments for depression? A
meta-analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2002;36(4):488. URL for summary of the
study: /www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01046.x/abs/
Sichel, D. and Driscoll, D. Women's Moods: What Every Woman Must Know about Hormones, the Brain, and
Emotional Health. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1999.
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| Copyright 2005-2006 Cynthia Good Mojab All rights reserved |
The prevalence of perinatal mood disorders is difficult to estimate because up to 88% of cases go
unrecognized. Research shows that up to 20% of women experience perinatal depression, but only 4% of
women diagnosed with postpartum depression receive treatment. Given the enormous negative impact of
perinatal depression on women and their families, we must improve our society's recognition of,
understanding of, prevention of, and support for recovery from perinatal mood disorders.
unrecognized. Research shows that up to 20% of women experience perinatal depression, but only 4% of
women diagnosed with postpartum depression receive treatment. Given the enormous negative impact of
perinatal depression on women and their families, we must improve our society's recognition of,
understanding of, prevention of, and support for recovery from perinatal mood disorders.
| Cynthia Good Mojab |
LifeCircle Counseling and Consulting, LLC