For Professionals

Here you will find resources geared towards medical professionals and therapists who work with the perinatal population.

**Please note that this page is still being updated**

Guidelines

CANMAT’s Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders.

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’ (SOGC) Guideline No. 454: Identification and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Consult

  • Postpartum Support International (PSI) Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line is for medical professionals who have questions about the mental health care related to pregnant and postpartum patients and pre-conception planning. The line is staffed by reproductive psychiatrists and specialists in perinatal mental health. There is no cost to access this service. Learn more…

Miscellaneous

Screening

Screening tools are an important part of preventive care. Screening is particularly important for new parents, given that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the #1 complication of child birth.

Currently, it is recommended that a perinatal mental health screen be given:

  • Once during the first prenatal visit (generally the first trimester)
  • At least once during the second trimester
  • At least once during the third trimester
  • The first postpartum visit (generally 1-6 weeks postpartum)
  • Once at every Well-Baby visit until 12 months or at least at the 2,6, and 12 month visits.

The two most commonly used screens that have also been validated for use in the perinatal population are the EPDS and PHQ-9. The EPDS addresses the anxiety component of PMADs, as well as, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. The PHQ-9 does not have the anxiety component but includes suicidal ideation.

Researchers in Western Australia developed and tested the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) to specifically screen for a range of anxiety symptoms during perinatal period. This 31-item questionnaire is easy to complete and score, is sensitive to how anxiety presents in perinatal women and may be used in a variety of settings. This scale assesses four categories of anxiety: (1) acute anxiety and adjustment, (2) general worry and specific fears, (3) perfectionism, control and trauma and (4) social anxiety.

Training