| Depression impacts an astounding
20-23% of women at some point in their lives. Women, and especially
women of childbearing age, are at a high risk for depression. Ten
to 15% of women have depression at the time of delivery, making
it one of the most common complications of pregnancy. In addition
to the personal suffering of women with depressive disorder, post-partum
depression creates greater health and social problems due to potentially
negative consequences for the newborn infant who is dependent on
the mother for its nutritional and nurturing care.
In the Perinatal Infant-Mother Attachment Cortisol (PIMAC) study,
we are examining the factors within the mother's social environment
and in the mother-infant relationship that might contribute to depression
in the mother or impact the development of their infant. Because
stress hormones are high in women who have depression, we are also
looking at changes in stress related hormones through pregnancy,
delivery, and on the mother and the infant through the first months
of life.
The purpose of this study is to better understand the role of maternal
risk for depression on infant stress hormone levels early in life,
as well as the possibility of long-term effects if the hormone levels
are different from that which is seen in infants of mothers who
are not at risk for depression. Our ultimate goal is to identify
pregnant women at risk for depression and determine if these chemicals
in the body may help target their high-risk infants for early prevention
strategies that would prevent or lessen the risk of development
of psychiatric illness.
If you are eligible for PIMACS, you may be asked to take part in
another research study that involves Interpersonal Therapy, a kind
of psychotherapy (talking therapy) that focuses on life transitions
such as those that occur during childbearing. It is also helpful
for people who have conflict in their relationships, or who have
experienced recent losses. Click here
for more information.
Our study team includes obstetricians, pediatricians, child psychologists,
adult psychologists and psychiatrists, social workers and nurses.
We look forward to working with you on this worthy enterprise!
|
