Postpartum Depression Education Materials
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES for Implementation of the Minnesota
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION EDUCATION & INFORMATION LEGISLATION
(S.F. 2278, Article 1, Section 33; 84th Legislative Session 2005-2006)
POLICY:
- Physicians, traditional midwives, and other licensed health care professionals providing prenatal care must have information about postpartum depression (PPD) available to women and their families; and
- Hospitals and other health care facilities must provide departing mothers and fathers and other family members with written information about PPD, including its symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources.
PROCEDURE:
- STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
- Providers of prenatal care must have information about PPD* available to pregnant women and their families; and
- Hospitals and other health care facilities must provide new mothers and their families with written information about PPD.*
- BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES**
- In Guidelines for PerinatalCare, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that:
- Pregnant women be educated about PPD during the third trimester.
- Obstetricians/gynecologists consult with their patients about their risk for psychiatric illness during the postpartum period.
- The Workgroup on PPD Education and Information recommends the following for providing PPD education and information to pregnant/postpartum women and their families:
- During pregnancy, at approximately 24-28 weeks, when the pregnant woman has her Glucose Screening Test, or as indicated;
- After the delivery and before the mother, baby and other family members leave the hospital;
- At the mother’s postpartum visit, usually at 4-6 weeks after delivery;
- When the mother/parents take the baby to a clinic for the well baby checkup and at subsequent well-child checkups, as indicated; and
- Having written information visibly available in OB/GYN, Primary Care, Family Practice and Pediatric Clinics.
* Using the MDH PPD Brochure, or another PPD brochure/fact sheet approved by MDH.
** Clinical judgment may indicate when and how frequently PPD education and information is needed.
