Feb 3, 2009 9:50 am US/Central
New Test Predicts Postpartum Depression
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A new study finds that women with a higher level of a hormone produced by the placenta midway through their pregnancy appear more likely to develop postpartum depression.
WBZ
A new test may help predict postpartum depression, an illness that can endanger both mother and newborn, reports CBS station WCBS-TV.
Yoga is helping Christy Driscoll have a stress free pregnancy, but it's her postpartum mental health that has her a little worried. "There are moments when you are thinking: OK, postpartum depression, what would I do?"
Many moms at the Prenatal Yoga Center say postpartum depression is a concern.
"How am I going to feel? How are my hormone levels going to be?" Driscoll asked.
Testing for hormone levels during pregnancy may take some of the uncertainty out of it. A new study finds women with a higher level of a hormone produced by the placenta midway through their pregnancy appear more likely to develop the condition.
"If you are a strong candidate for postpartum depression, we will actually give you antidepressants in pregnancy," said psychiatrist Dr. Stephan Quentzel of Beth Israel Medical Center.
Recent studies show that as many as 19 percent of women suffer postpartum depression within the first three months after giving birth, and often new moms don't recognize the symptoms, which puts them and their babies at risk.
"Mom, in her depression, may pay less attention to the hygiene, or the feeding, or the sleeping or the nurturing of the baby," said Quentzel.
Researchers say in the future a simple blood test for the hormone PCRH at the end of the second trimester, could help determine their risk.
"I think it's great, anything that can be preventative," Driscoll said.
But until such a test is available, she has a plan: "Look for signs and symptoms and seek out help, and don't feel like you have to carry that alone."
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