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= Registered usersSeptember 2007: Be vigilant for symptoms of perinatal depression
01 Sep 2007
Postnatal depression is known to have a detrimental effect on the mother, baby and the family. Antenatal depression is also important and GPs have a role in managing depression throughout this key period.Women have considerable contact with health professionals before, during and after childbirth. Midwives and GPs are encouraged to use this to identify mental health problems as early as possible in antenatal care and monitor or treat those with symptoms or risk of illness. Infants of mothers with postnatal depression, especially boys, have poorer emotional, behavioural and cognitive development. Infants of women with antenatal anxiety and depression also have altered stress responses, which persist after birth, and are more likely to be born preterm and have a low birth weight. Personal and social relationships can be strained and disrupted, and these women are at a increased risk of domestic violence.
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