Joy Baker, MD, FACOG, highlights how to recognize postpartum depression

In this video, Joy Baker, MD, FACOG, ob-gyn at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, discusses the often-overlooked issue of mental health conditions during and after pregnancy, particularly postpartum depression.

Baker highlighted that while physical complications such as high blood pressure and diabetes are routinely monitored during pregnancy, mental health is frequently neglected. One of the major barriers to addressing postpartum depression is the lack of consistent screening. Many clinicians are not adequately trained to identify or manage mental health conditions during the perinatal period, often receiving minimal education on the topic during medical training.

Baker noted that even when screenings are conducted and patients are identified as being at risk, there is often uncertainty about the next steps because of a shortage of mental health providers. This gap in the care continuum discourages some clinicians from screening at all.

On the patient side, stigma and fear play significant roles. Many pregnant and postpartum individuals worry that admitting to depression or anxiety will label them as unfit parents, potentially leading to social or legal consequences such as losing custody of their child. The societal expectation that motherhood should be a blissful and seamless experience adds to the pressure and shame many mothers feel when they struggle emotionally.

Baker stressed the importance of approaching these issues with curiosity and empathy. When a patient expresses feelings of being overwhelmed or emotionally distressed, it should prompt further discussion and screening. Postpartum depression doesn't always present in expected ways, with symptoms including irritability, anxiety, or even rage. Therefore, clinicians must be trained to recognize these varied expressions and to translate a patient’s narrative into clinical terms. Asking straightforward, relatable questions—such as about changes in sleep, appetite, or mood—can make it easier for patients to open up.

She also emphasized the importance of clinician education and routine use of validated screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or PHQ-9. However, she cautioned that screening tools are just a starting point and that meaningful conversations with patients are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Encouragingly, Baker noted that there are now FDA-approved treatments, including oral medications and therapy options, which are effective in treating postpartum depression. She concluded by urging clinicians to screen early and often and to become informed about available treatment options so they can better support their patients' mental and emotional well-being.

Disclosures: No relevant disclosures.

Reference:

Baker J. Decoding “overwhelmed” & why some patients with PPD are overlooked. Presented at: 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting. May 16-18, 2025. Minneapolis, Minnesota.