Protocol to Identify and Treat Perinatal Mental Health Disorders

Research shows that families facing high-risk pregnancies and potential birth anomalies are more likely to experience perinatal mental health disorders. To better care for these parents and families, our Colorado Fetal Care Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado uses a universal screening protocol to proactively identify and support affected families.
Across all pregnancies, one in seven patients experience a pregnancy-associated mental health disorder. Examples include substance use, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma disorder and suicidality. The rate is even higher among families of babies who need specialized care.
Obstetrician and hospitalist Erin McNulty, MD, and child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist Heather Buxton, MD, have established a specialized multidisciplinary partnership to help those families. Their team uses several validated tools to identify mental health disorders in pregnant patients. When a patient has a positive screen, the team collaborates to provide obstetric care, psychiatric treatment and social work support. This holistic, comprehensive care continues dur-ing pregnancy, through delivery and during time in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. As the family prepares for dis-charge, the team works with community-based providers for a warm hand-off for longer-term care.
If you would like to learn more about the perinatal mental health support we provide at the Colorado Fetal Care Cen-ter, please visit: www.childrenscolorado.org/doc...
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