Pregnant Pause: Georgia Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes

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October 28, 2016 I ssue #64

Because there is no health without mental health!

MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH IN GEORGIA: A 2016 UPDATE

Recently, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia released the 2016 "State of the State of Maternal & Infant Health in Georgia" report. Available data indicate that, nationally, Georgia ranks 43rd for premature births, 47th for low birthweight babies, 45th for infant mortality, and 49th for maternal mortality. These striking national statistics indicate a critical need for improved maternal and infant services and resources in the state.

In terms of maternal mental health, currently Georgia only collects data on postpartum depression. Data are, therefore, somewhat limited since information on only one perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (among many) is captured. Results from the 2011 PRAMS survey show the percentage of self-reported postpartum depression to be 8.1%, with increased prevalence among teen mothers.

Data on maternal use of alcohol and illicit drugs is also provided. In comparison to 2007 data, more Georgia mothers reported alcohol intake in the last three months of pregnancy in 2011, though Georgia remains below the national average. Of note, too, is a change in data collection. As of January 1, 2016, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome became a reportable condition for surveillance purposes: healthcare providers are required to report to the Georgia Department of Public Health when a baby is born to a mother with a history of substance use during pregnancy, a newborn demonstrates signs of withdrawal, or a newborn has a positive drug screen.

What is important to consider from the report as well are instances of pregnancy-related suicides from the Georgia Maternal Mortality 2012 Case Review Report. The report found one pregnancy-related suicide death and nine pregnancy-related suicide deaths within one year of pregnancy. These data are important for highlighting the risk of suicide among women experiencing maternal mental illness in Georgia, especially since suicide is the leading cause of death among new mothers.

Though data are somewhat grim, clinicians, healthcare staff, public health practitioners, and policy makers are presented with an opportunity to use this report to effect substantive change for women and children in Georgia. Recent attention to the risk factors and consequences of maternal mental illness, including an overhaul in maternal mental health screening among providers, is an encouraging example of positive and meaningful change that may be used to inform future efforts in the field.

To read more, click here.

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EMORY UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES

A collaborative initiative conducted through the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory College, the Rollins School of Public Health, and the Emory School of Medicine aims to understand the effects of early environmental exposure on child development and health. The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) initiative, funded through the National Institutes of Health, will study adverse environmental exposures and health

consequences during the prenatal period and early childhood that have been shown to disproportionately affect African American mothers and children. Such consequences include preterm birth, delayed neurocognitive development, and obesity. This initiative builds upon previous research conducted at Emory University.

The ECHO initiative is particularly timely, given the recently released Georgia maternal and infant health data from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, which also found health disparities associated with a number of demographics, including race/ethnicity.

Read more here .

DID YOU KNOW?

Managing labor pains may lower risk of postpartum depression: A study conducted at Magee Women's Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that, among 201 new mothers, those who had received pain relief during delivery had lower scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. These results suggest that labor pain may be psychologically difficult for some women and therefore may be associated with the development of postpartum depression. To read more, click here.

Postpartum depression screening in pediatric emergency departments is effective: In a study on 209 mothers of children ages 6 months or younger who presented with "low acuity" complaints in the pediatric ED, 27% screened positive for postpartum depression and 7% indicated suicidal ideation. Of the mothers who received a positive screen for postpartum depression, most reported positive impacts associated with screening in follow-up work. More specifically, 83% reported increased access to support, 31% reported seeking help from a provider, and 17% reported seeing a mental health professional. To learn more, follow this link.

Differences exist among mothers who are asked about their mental health postpartum: A study on national maternity survey data found that 82% of women are asked about their mental health during pregnancy and 90% are asked during the postpartum period. However, study results also indicated that non-white women, those living in low resource areas, and those with lower education were less likely to be asked about their mental health, to be offered treatment, and to receive support following delivery. To learn more, click here.

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SCREENING & IDENTIFICATION TRAINING FOR PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

Project Healthy Moms' PMAD Screening and Identification Trainings are aimed at healthcare providers (e.g. physicians, nurses, social workers) who come in contact with childbearing women. Through this program, healthcare providers who are involved in maternal and child health are trained to recognize symptoms of the various PMADs and consequences of untreated PMADs. During the training, providers learn how to screen mothers for PMADs and are also educated about treatment options and referral methods. The goal of the training is to ensure that healthcare providers are able to correctly and routinely identify and refer women who may be suffering from PMADs in their practices.

To learn more and schedule a training, please contact Sarah Schwartz at sarah@mhageorgia.org or (678) 904-1970.

RESOURCE LIST

Did you know that Mental Health America of Georgia has a resource list for pregnant and postpartum women? It is updated regularly and provides contact information for healthcare providers and outlets for self-care for pregnant and postpartum women.

To access the list, visit

www.mhageorgia.org/project-healthy-moms/resource-list/

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Project Healthy Moms is an important initiative of MHA of Georgia. Perinatal mood disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. In the United States, approximately 20% of new mothers suffer from these devastating illnesses which, if not properly treated, can have a long-term negative impact on the health of not only the mothers, but their children and families as well. Our goal is to increase awareness, identification, treatment, and support of perinatal mood disorders in Georgia, while also reducing the stigma associated with them. To learn more about Project Healthy Moms, click here.

Project Healthy Moms is only one of many programs developed by MHA of Georgia to further our mission of enhancing the mental health of all Georgians through education, outreach, and advocacy. Click here to learn more about MHA of Georgia's other programs. Your support will help us continue our work educating Georgians about mental illness, striving to eliminate stigma, and advocating on behalf of people with mental illness in our state. Click here to support MHA of Georgia.