A study conducted by the University of Coimbra provides recommendations for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.

An international research network led by the University of Coimbra (California) has developed 44 clinical guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression in women during pregnancy and after childbirth, it was announced this Monday.

“To prevent perinatal depression and ensure timely diagnosis followed by adequate treatment, it is essential to have evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice on prevention, diagnosis and various treatment options,” explained network coordinator Ana Gagno Avila, quoted in the UK Statement.

A researcher from the Center for Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Research (CINEICC) highlighted that currently “many European countries do not have current clinical practice guidelines for perinatal depression” and that in countries where such guidelines already exist, “the methodological quality is low and discrepancies in recommendations may lead to differences and inequities in clinical monitoring of perinatal depression.”

Pregnancy and the first year after giving birth (called the perinatal period) are “periods of enormous psychological, physiological and social change in women’s lives, and it is estimated that one in five women may experience mental health problems, including depression, during this period.” and anxiety are the most common problems,” said the specialist from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences.

The Pan-European Network for Research on Innovation and Sustainability recommendations on perinatal depressive disorders (Riseup-PPD) are intended for various health professionals, especially in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, obstetrics or paediatrics, who in their professional context are in contact with women and their partners, those planning motherhood, during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth, who may be depressed or who already have symptoms.

“It is very important that women, their partners and health professionals have knowledge about mental health prevention at this stage, as perinatal depression negatively affects the mother and her health, the health and development of the child, and also affects bonds and family relationships,” stressed Ana Gagno Avila.

The clinical guidelines developed by Riseup-PPD were funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), whose funding is intended to support research and innovation networks that promote research collaboration in Europe.

The network includes researchers and specialists from 31 countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands . , North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.

The set of guidelines for clinical practice, which will be presented in the European Parliament on Tuesday, can be adopted by any health service in the 31 countries that participate in the Riseup-PPD network.

“This meeting is necessary to draw the attention of European legislators and politicians to the mental health of women during pregnancy and during the first year after childbirth,” stressed Ana Gagno Avila.

The researcher hopes the meeting will contribute to the discussion on “mental health in the perinatal period and bring such an important issue onto the national and international policy agenda across Europe.”