Explore Perinatal Psychiatry
New Guidelines on Treating Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released updated clinical guidelines in 2023 on the treatment of perinatal depression — addressing medication safety, first-line treatment options, and the importance of closing the mental health treatment gap during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A 2026 review in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine summarizes these recommendations in an accessible, clinician-friendly format.
Proactive Approaches to Preventing Postpartum Depression
A 2025 scoping review published in Frontiers in Global Women's Health, analyzing 49 studies across nine intervention types, found that psychoeducational and mindfulness-based interventions consistently reduce the risk of postpartum depression — particularly when delivered in structured, theory-driven formats that incorporate family support. The review covers approaches including CBT, interpersonal therapy, exercise, home-visit programs, and digital interventions, offering a broad overview of the non-pharmacological landscape in perinatal mental health
A Whole-Person Approach to Perinatal Mental Health: The Case for Integrated Care
Emerging research highlights that the most effective perinatal mental health care goes beyond a single treatment modality. A review published in PLOS Mental Health examined models of integrated perinatal mental health care and found that — regardless of the specific model used — integrated care consistently aims to enhance quality and continuity through patient engagement, trained staff, health promotion, coordinated care processes, and a biopsychosocial approach to treatment. The review underscores that no single intervention suits every patient, and that combining pharmacological, psychological, and supportive approaches within a coordinated system produces the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
SSRIs and Pregnancy
Following the FDA's July 2025 roundtable on SSRI use during pregnancy, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) responded with a clear, evidence-based perspective — countering what it described as unsubstantiated claims and misrepresentation of scientific studies. Written by Drs. Adam Lewkowitz and Emily Miller, this September 2025 article summarizes the current clinical consensus on depression treatment in pregnancy and the postpartum period, and what the available evidence actually shows.
Safety of Psychotropic Medications in Pregnancy
When it comes to psychiatric medications during pregnancy, the conversation often focuses on potential risks — but rarely on the risks of going untreated. A 2024 umbrella review in Molecular Psychiatry (Nature Portfolio), analyzing 21 meta-analyses, highlights that the evidence on psychotropic medication safety in pregnancy is more reassuring than often perceived, and that the harms of untreated maternal psychiatric illness to both mother and fetus are frequently overlooked in clinical discussions.
Updates to Interventions in Treatment of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
A 2024 review published in Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry (Springer Nature) provides an updated overview of evidence-based interventions for perinatal depression and anxiety, covering psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, digital interventions, and collaborative care models. The review reflects the growing recognition that perinatal mental health conditions are best addressed through flexible, multimodal treatment planning tailored to each patient's needs and circumstances.