These postpartum depression medications give new moms more options Pittsburgh Magazine

For one in seven women, postpartum depression can ruin their first experiences of motherhood.

In 2023, the first pill to treat the disease, which is often unrecognized due to stigmait was approved by the FDA. Zurzuvae is a 14-day prescription for mothers with postpartum depression, characterized by persistent sadness, low self-esteem, sleep problems, anxiety and depression. related to the baby. It is caused by a combination of hormonal changes, genetics and environmental factors,

Dr. Ewurama Sackey, medical director of Women’s Behavioral Health Program At Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital, he says the pill can improve mood and irritability in new moms, who experience fluctuating hormones from the third trimester until after. give birth

He says: “It is a big change from what was there before.”

In the past, the only approved treatment for postpartum depression was an intravenous injection, which often required women to stay in the hospital after their baby was born. cleared to go home – and it was not allowed for nursing mothers, but Zurzuvae is. SSRIs are often prescribed to new mothers with postpartum depression, but they can take up to two weeks to start working.

Zurzuvae can cause sedation, which can help new mothers find a window of uninterrupted sleep, Sackey says.

“Recent research has shown that new mothers, in order to prevent and treat postpartum depression, should get at least four to four hours of sleep,” says Sackey. five. “A lot of people say, ‘I’m getting the best sleep I’ve ever had with medication.'”

What this means for a baby who wakes up every two to three hours to feed is that other adults have to stand up to support the mothers.

“It really makes sure that other people and other family members help with the child,” Sackey says. “So I think that, in terms of behavior, it also helps everyone to get involved in helping with childcare, which is very important.

“We tell our patients, it’s a lot of pieces that will help you get better. It’s going to be support from your family, it’s going to be medication, it’s going to be therapy, and then anti-depressants. .If you are a mother for the first time or for the fifth time, there is a period of transition.”

The AHN Women’s Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health at West Penn Hospital offers prenatal and outpatient treatment for depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Named after Alexis Joy D’Achille, who took her own life six weeks after the birth of her daughter in 2013; Her husband, Steven, created the Alexis Joy Foundation.

D’Achille says she thinks it’s important for new mothers to know there are many ways to help them, including Zurzuvae.

“In the United States … we have the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country in the world for a long time. The good part, though, is that we have the opportunity of making a real difference,” says D’Achille. “In Pittsburgh, I like to think we’re blazing a trail across the country. I think about the access to care that women and families deserve…I think we can change those statistics. ”

The Alexis Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health outpatient program has a small group of mothers, and Sackey said it’s been great to see them support each other.

She also noted that there are many supports for new mothers available at the Women’s Behavioral Health Program, and encouraged women to call 412-578-4030 for information. other.