Screening
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health has put together a list of validated screening tools healthcare providers can use when working with pregnant and postpartum people. Depression is commonly screened for using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 or PHQ-9). Learn more about these screening tools and ones used for several other maternal mental health conditions.
There is also a clinical guideline available from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on screening and diagnosis of mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Treatment and Management
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, provides comprehensive clinical guidelines for healthcare providers on a variety of perinatal conditions. If you have membership, you can access their guideline for treatment and management of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. At time of this webpage’s publication, the guideline, last updated in June 2023, is available at no cost.
This guideline includes:
- Risk counseling information when discussing treatments with patients
- Handy tables for providers that detail medication dosages, and
- Summaries of relevant research findings.
VMAP for Moms+
VMAP for Moms+ is for prescribers who provide care to pregnant and postpartum individuals and/or their children.
Prescribers such as OB/GYNs, primary care clinicians, certified nurse midwives, pediatricians, and psychiatrists can call VMAP for Moms+ for a free same-day consultation regarding the mental health of a pregnant or postpartum individual! You’ll be able to connect with:
- Perinatal psychiatrists
- Perinatal licensed mental health professionals
- Care navigators who help connect pregnant or postpartum individuals with local mental health resources tailored to their needs
To access VMAP for Moms+ Line, Virginia prescribers can call 888-371-VMAP (8627) and press 1 during normal business hours.
VMAP for Moms+ also offers CME/CE trainings for prescribers on screening, diagnosing, and treating perinatal mental health conditions. Explore trainings.
