www.beyondtheblues.info

For Providers: Consultations and Resources

Consultations

This service provides consultation to healthcare providers who have questions about screening, diagnosis, treatment, or referral regarding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Consultants are University of Iowa psychiatry faculty.

While providers seeking consultation may call this line or submit a query form for information in order to make treatment decisions about a particular patient or patients, this service does not consult directly to or about individual patients, and should not be construed as direct advice about managing any particular patient’s care.

We strive to provide immediate phone consultation or feedback to query forms whenever possible. However, please note that this is not a “hotline”. Questions will generally be answered or responded to within one business day.

Type/scope of questions:

1. What should be considered before making a decision to discontinue psychotropic medications before or during the perinatal period?
2. What should be considered when making a decision whether to restart ___ medication during the postpartum? While breastfeeding? While pregnant?
3. What medications should one consider when switching to/from ___ to treat depression or anxiety in pregnancy? While breastfeeding?
4. What safety information is available on ___ medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding? What are treatment alternatives that should be considered?
5. What side effects might be expected for an infant breastfeeding and exposed to ___ medication? When is this medication at its peak level?
6. What strategies are available for reducing medication exposure in breastfeeding infants?
7. How long before conception attempts should medication be discontinued (antidepressants, mood stabilizers)?
8. What is your recommendation for an intitial antidepressant for breastfeeding women? Should any blood tests be conducted on the mother and nursing infant?
9. What mood stabilizers could be considered for a pregnant/breastfeeding woman with bipolar disorder?
10. What options exist for preventing depression during pregnancy or postpartum?
11. What options can be considered for treating insomnia during pregnancy?
12. What psychotherapy should be utilized for perinatal depression? Where can I find resources on these treatments?
13. What treatment options are available aside from antidepressants and psychotherapy?
14. What screening tool should I use with pregnant/postpartum women?
15. How often should I consider screening pregnant/postpartum women?
16. How can I get started implementing screening into my practice/agency?

If your question is beyond the scope of those described, please contact us and we'll determine if we can provide consultation. If your question is more complex we may recommend that you obtain a formal second opinion or collaborative management through the University of Iowa's Women's Wellness and Counseling Service, a comprehensive clinical service dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of perinatal mental disorders located in the Women's Health Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Request a consultation:
ONLINE SUBMISSION: access here
FAX: FORM (pdf) fax number: 319-353-3003
CALL: 1-319-353-3976

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Resources

One in eight women will experience perinantal depression. Many cases of perinatal depression go unrecognized and untreated, often with significant negative conseqences for both mothers and their families. Screening for perinatal depression can improve health outcomes when combined with a system for treatment. This web page provides information and local resources for health and mental health providers who care for Iowa mothers, pregnant women and their families.

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