The preconception needs of women with severe mental illness: a consecutive clinical case series.

Introduction: Women with severe mental illness (SMI) are having babies at an increasing rate, but continue to face many challenges across the perinatal period. There is little research into the preconception needs of women with SMI and the aim of this study was to investigate the social circumstances, general health, mental health and reproductive health care needs in these at risk women.

Method: Women with SMI referred for specialist preconception counselling at a tertiary obstetric hospital in 2012 were eligible to participate.

Characteristics of men accompanying their partners to a specialist antenatal clinic for women with severe mental illness.

Purpose: Partners are often enlisted in the care and management of pregnant women with severe mental illness (SMI); however their needs and capacity to provide support is not yet well understood. We aim to describe the psychosocial characteristics, health behaviours and appraisals of parenthood of men accompanying their partners with SMI to a specialist antenatal clinic.

Methods: A 36-question, study-specific cross sectional survey was completed by men whose partners with SMI were receiving antenatal care at a specialist multidisciplinary clinic over a 12-month period.

The structure of emotional symptoms in the postpartum period: is it unique?

Background: In perinatal mental health there is a lack of consensus as to whether postpartum emotional disorders are unique in their aetiology and clinical presentation. If the clinical presentation is unique, then the factor structure should be different in a postpartum sample.

Methods: Admission and discharge scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS; Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995b) scores were collected for 527 inpatients admitted to a Psychiatric Mother and Baby Unit.

Using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to screen for perinatal anxiety.

We replicated the factor structure of the anxiety subscale of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in a large convenience sample of Western Australian women who participated in the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program. In addition, we determined an appropriate cut-off score for the anxiety subscale. Factor analyses conducted on the EPDS responses yielded depression and anxiety factors as identified in previous research.

Tailoring screening protocols for perinatal depression: prevalence of high risk across obstetric services in Western Australia.

Given what appears to be an ever-increasing list of concerning consequences of perinatal depression, longitudinal studies have much to offer when considering the timing and efficacy of prevention and intervention strategies. The course of depressive symptomatology across the perinatal period at four obstetric services was investigated utilising Western Australian data collected as part of the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program. Pregnant women completed one or two Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) assessments during pregnancy and a demographic and psychosocial risk factors questionnaire.

Antenatal risk factors for postnatal depression: a large prospective study.

Background: This study measured antenatal risk factors for postnatal depression in the Australian population, both singly and in combination. Risk factor data were gathered antenatally and depressive symptoms measured via the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program, a large prospective cohort study into perinatal mental health, conducted in all six states of Australia, and in the Australian Capital Territory, between 2002 and 2005.

Methods: Pregnant women were screened for symptoms of postnatal depression at antenatal clinics in maternity services around Australia using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a psychosocial risk factor questionnaire that covered key demographic and psychosocial information.

Postnatal mental health of women giving birth in Australia 2002-2004: findings from the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program.

Objectives: To describe the postnatal mental health status of women giving birth in Australia 2002-2004 at 6-8 weeks postpartum.

Method: Women were recruited from 43 health services across Australia. Women completed a demographic questionnaire and an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in pregnancy; the latter was repeated at 6-8 weeks following childbirth.

National program for depression associated with childbirth: the Australian experience.

Routine screening was introduced as a joint research/public-health initiative across 43 health services in Australia, funded by beyondblue, the National Australian Depression Initiative. This program included assessing risk factors and prevalence of depression in perinatal women. Other objectives included increasing awareness of the condition, training of relevant staff, and assessing the feasibility of a screening program.

Acceptability of routine screening for perinatal depression.

Background: To assess the acceptability of routine screening for perinatal depression.

Method: Postnatal women (n=860) and health professionals (n=916) were surveyed after 3 years of routine perinatal (antenatal and postnatal) use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Results: Over 90% of women had the screening explained to them and found the EPDS easy to complete; 85% had no difficulties completing it.

Recognition and management of perinatal depression in general practice--a survey of GPs and postnatal women.

Objective: To identify ways to improve detection and access to treatment.

Methods: A survey of general practitioners and postnatal women across Australia addressing knowledge of, and attitudes to, postnatal depression using case vignettes.

Results: General practitioners were significantly more likely to recognise depression than postnatal women, who were likely to seek help for more general or baby related issues.