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Awareness weeks guide

Perinatal Mental Health Week

Perinatal Mental Health Week

17-23 November 2024

1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety, which is around 100,000 Australian parents each year. Perinatal mental health week

 

UpToDate

Guidelines

Online resources

Reports

Articles

Midwifery

Research

Screening

E-books

E-journals

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Articles

Midwifery

Midwifery continuity of care for women with perinatal mental health conditions: A cohort study from Australia
This study supports positive associations between Midwifery Caseload Group Practice (MCP) and breastfeeding and vaginal birth. MCP was also associated with lower risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, though in the matched sample with a smaller sample size, the confidence interval included 1. The direction of the association MCP and preterm birth was negative (protective). However, in the matched sample analysis, the confidence interval was wide, and the finding was also consistent with no benefit from MCP. Randomised controlled trials are required to answer questions around preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcomes and further research is being planned. Birth: issues in perinatal care 23 May 2024

Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives’ knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the (e-PMHEP) for rural midwives, nurses and Aboriginal maternal infant care practitioners. Women and birth 9 December 2023

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a video-based educational intervention on perinatal mental health related stigma reduction strategies for healthcare professionals: A single group pre-test-post-test pilot study
Healthcare professionals have a role to play in reducing perinatal mental health related stigma. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a video-based educational intervention developed to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on perinatal mental health related stigma reduction strategies. Midwifery 2 July 2024

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Research

Peer support and mobile health for perinatal mental health: A scoping review
Understanding the context of peer support and mobile health informs the potential to support perinatal mental health. Further research in this growing area is needed to test the effectiveness of peer support in combination with mobile health intervention for supporting perinatal mental health. Birth: issues in perinatal care 24 January 2024

Experiences of attending prenatal ultrasounds during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A cross-sectional survey
The prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms in the study population is concerning and elucidates the distress experienced in association with prenatal ultrasounds during pandemic restrictions in Australia. Maternity services should acknowledge the high levels of service consumers with post-trauma symptoms and consider trauma-responsive maternity care adaptations in response to adverse perinatal outcomes for those afflicted with post-trauma and distress-related symptoms. Birth: issues in perinatal care 23 August 2024

Domestic and family violence and associated maternal and perinatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Recent Domestic family violence (DFV) was associated with preterm birth and mental health issues but was not associated with admission to the neonatal nursery, small-for-gestational-age birthweight, or caesarean section after adjusting for confounders. Birth: issues in perinatal care 20 August 2024

Early readmission of exclusively breastmilk-fed infants born by means of normal birth or cesarean is multifactorial and associated with perinatal maternal mental health concerns
Early readmission of exclusively breastmilk-fed infants born by means of normal birth (NB) or by cesarean birth (CB)is multifactorial. Early pregnancy mental health issues are associated with readmission, highlighting the potential effects of perinatal depression on neonatal health. Birth: issues in perinatal care 6 October 2023

Bibliometric analysis of published articles on perinatal depression from 1920 to 2020
This is the first study mapping publications on perinatal depression between 1920 and 2020. The rate of publication on perinatal depression has been steadily increasing in recent years with a wide variety of authors, countries, and journals represented. As the field continues to grow, trends may shift as early career researchers emerge and the importance of mental health in low-income countries is prioritized. Birth: issues in perinatal care 5 October 2023

Trauma in the lives of parents experiencing severe perinatal mental illness
The findings suggest a need for more research, awareness, and consideration of the role of trauma in experiences of perinatal mental illness, with implications for developing trauma informed models for responding to parental mental illness. Frontiers in psychiatry 2 April 2024

Common mental disorders and perinatal outcomes in Victoria, Australia: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Statement of significance
Problem or issue:

  • Common mental disorders (CMD) are experienced by one in five women in Australia during the perinatal period. Understanding the impact of common mental disorders on perinatal outcomes will enable an informed approach to screening, diagnosis and perinatal care.

What is already known:

  • Maternal CMD during the perinatal period is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in low/middle income countries. Women experiencing CMD report experiencing multi-level barriers to accessing therapeutic care in the perinatal period. CMD continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in the perinatal period.

What this paper adds:

  • This paper is the first to examine population-based data to evaluate the impact of common mental disorders on perinatal outcomes of Australian women finding that women experiencing CMD were more likely to experience adverse perinatal outcomes than women not experiencing CMD in the perinatal period.

Women and birth 12 January 2024

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Screening

Perinatal mental health screening for women of refugee background: Addressing a major gap in pregnancy care
This study aimed to assess if women of refugee background are more likely to screen risk positive for depression and anxiety than non-refugee women, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); and if screening in pregnancy using the EPDS enables better detection of depression and anxiety symptoms in women of refugee background than routine care.   Birth: issues in perinatal care 19 October 2023

Optimising maternity care for a subsequent pregnancy after a psychologically traumatic birth: A scoping review
For women who have experienced a previous psychologically traumatic birth, being at the centre of their care, in their subsequent pregnancy, is a priority. Embedding woman-centred pathways of care for women with this experience, as well as multidisciplinary education on the recognition and prevention of birth trauma, should be a research priority. Women and birth 4 April 2023

Acceptability of identification and management of perinatal anxiety: a qualitative interview study with postnatal women
Women’s experiences would be improved if given the opportunity to form a trusting relationship with a healthcare provider. Interventions offering support before professional treatment may be valued and suitable for some women. Clear information about support services and treatment options available for perinatal mental health problems should be given. Physiological aspects of maternity care impacts women’s mental health and trust in services needs to be restored. Findings can be used to inform clinical guidelines and research on acceptable perinatal care pathways in pregnancy and after birth and future research. Frontiers in public health 7 November 2024

The screening accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to detect perinatal depression with and without the self-harm item in pregnant and postpartum women
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), excluding the self-harm item (EPDS-9)represents a solid and effective replacement for the full Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in clinical settings. If the presence of suicidal thoughts needs to be assessed, specialized scales should be used. Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics & gynecology 25 September 2024

The use of e-mental health tools in the perinatal context
This article summarises the main e-health tools used in perinatal mental healthcare, including examples of evidence-based tools for assessment, prevention and treatment of such disorders. British journal of psychiatry advances 27 August 2024

Identifying psychosocial vulnerabilities in pregnancy: A mixed-method systematic review of the knowledge base of antenatal conversational psychosocial assessment tools
Highlights

  • Problem: identification of psychosocial vulnerability in pregnancy is crucial to prevent adverse maternal and infant outcomes. In this regard, routine psychosocial assessment is recommenced within maternity care, and different approaches are used in practice.
  • What is already known: conversational approaches to psychosocial assessment have great potential for identifying psychosocial vulnerabilities among expectant parents as these approaches can support trust and person-centredness. However, the knowledge base of tools utilising a conversational approach is limited, inhibiting their clinical use.
  • What this paper adds: the review contributes with a comprehensive overview of the knowledge base of conversational psychosocial assessment tools. This can support decision-making in practice.

Midwifery 12 June 2024

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E-books

This is just a sample of the e-books the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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E-Journals

A sample of the journals the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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