Having a baby—whether it is your first or your fifth—represents a momentous life change. Fluctuations in mood and stress levels are normal during pregnancy and the postpartum period, but a substantial minority of folks who give birth will experience more pervasive and severe symptoms. Perinatal depression (previously referred to as “postpartum depression”) is considered by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to be one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth—impacting 1 in 7 birthing people.
Many healthcare systems already place an emphasis on screening and early detection of perinatal depression in order to help connect new parents with treatment as early as possible. However, pregnant folks and their loved ones also deserve upstream solutions that focus on the prevention of perinatal depression. With that in mind, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended that patients with risk factors for perinatal depression—like a history of depression, current symptoms, or low social support—be referred for preventative counseling.
The Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials (ROSE) program has shown significant promise in preventing the development of perinatal depression—randomized clinical trials suggest that it prevents up to half of the perinatal depression cases in low-income mothers (who are at higher risk for the disorder). A recent trial is also underway to test it as a universal prevention program. The ROSE program is generally offered in 4-8 sessions and can be provided individually or in a group setting.
Regardless of whether the ROSE........