Support for women before, during, and after their pregnancy
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry, in conjunction with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, offers a unique program for women. This program provides outpatient evaluation and treatment for psychiatric disorders and problems of adjustment to women in their childbearing years.
Our program recognizes the importance of providing specialized mental health care for women, particularly surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. In doing so, we value a woman’s unique biology and rich emotional life, as well as the centrality of social relationships.
When being a mom isn’t what you expected
What if being a mom isn’t what you expected? About 10 to 20 percent of new moms experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD), which can begin any time during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth. PMADs are treatable illnesses that can cause feelings of sadness, guilt, indifference, anxiety, and/or intrusive thoughts. It might feel like having a baby is too hard, or you wonder if you’re a bad mom—but it is in fact an illness that will get better with help.
Perinatal mood or anxiety disorders include postpartum depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or postpartum psychosis.
Why choose us
The women’s mental health program is a specialized healthcare service focused on addressing the mental health needs of individuals during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy and the first year postpartum. This critical time involves significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes that can affect a woman's mental health.
The women’s mental health program aims to provide comprehensive, compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of women during this transformative period, helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
The program offers:
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Individual Therapy: One-on-one counseling sessions with specialized mental health professionals address issues such as prenatal and postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Common therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
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Group Therapy and Support Groups: In facilitated group sessions, new and expectant mothers can share experiences, receive emotional support, and learn coping strategies from peers and professionals.
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Medication Management: Patients can receive diagnostic evaluation and ongoing management of psychiatric medications during pregnancy and postpartum and during breastfeeding, ensuring the wellbeing of both mother and baby.
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Second-Opinion Medication Consultation: Patients may obtain single session consultation with specialists in psychiatric medication treatment during pregnancy and lactation.
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Integrated Care: We collaborate with obstetricians, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health needs.
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Intensive Treatment: Individuals experiencing severe perinatal mental health conditions receive immediate support and intervention, including access to intensive outpatient psychiatric care through our Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient Program, as necessary.
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Partner and Family Involvement: We engage partners and family members in the treatment process to provide support, improve understanding of perinatal mental health issues, and strengthen family dynamics.
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Care Coordination: We support women, birthing individuals and their families by making sure that each patient receives the right treatment at the right time. Our expert care coordinators also assist patients and families in connecting with community support and resources.
The Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient program
The Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient program is for you if you're pregnant or postpartum and dealing with mood and anxiety disorders. Designed to offer support and guidance as you develop the skills and confidence you need as a caregiver, you may receive treatment alongside your baby, ensuring supportive care without disturbing your bonding experience.
- Flexible Program: Join anytime and stay for 6 to 12 weeks.
- Clinical Services: Get treatment delivered by therapists and psychiatrists who are specialists in perinatal mental healthcare.
- Other Resources: Learn about physical and mental health, wellness, childbirth, breastfeeding, child development, and mindfulness.
- Group Sessions: Participate in groups with other pregnant and postpartum women to talk about stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship changes. Babies participate in treatment too, so that getting treatment does not require a disruption to the mother-baby bond.
- Live at Home: Moms are able to obtain intensive treatment during the day while living at home.
Conditions
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Depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy
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Management of psychiatric disorders in pregnancy
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Complicated pregnancies
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Pregnancy loss
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Transition to motherhood
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Balancing personal and professional life
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Relationship problems
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The Mother-Baby Program is designed to help support mothers and pregnant people in crisis and guide them as they build the skills needed to feel better, and to develop competence, confidence, and independence as caregivers.
Support our perinatal intensive outpatient program
Help build a perinatal intensive outpatient program that meets expectant and new mothers where they are and provides personalized support to turn their struggles into healthy pregnancies and successful transitions to motherhood.
Mothers with perinatal mental health issues are our sisters, our daughters, our nieces, our friends, and our neighbors. Through our collective commitment, we can provide solutions that will prioritize the health and wellbeing of mothers so they can care for their babies and create loving, stable, and healthy families in our communities.