ORLANDO, Fla. – While many new mothers experience “baby blues” after a baby is born, postpartum depression is a more intense condition that at least one in every five new moms will experience.
Mental illness, suicide and drug overdose are the leading causes of death in the first year after a woman gives birth.
Friday on Breakfast with Bridgett, a doctor shared the latest breakthrough in treating postpartum depression.
In August, the FDA approved a prescription pill called zuranolone to treat PPD.
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In studies, the medication improved patients’ symptoms in as little as three days.
“Zuranolone targets a specific neurotransmitter, one of the chemicals in the brain that we think is a big contributor to PPD. Other antidepressants have been shown to be somewhat effective, as has psychotherapy for certain parts of PPD, but this new drug is a really important additional option and really a first-line treatment that doctors have at their disposal now for someone who is diagnosed with serious PPD,” said Dr. Brian Goldstein, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare Florida.
Doctors say nursing while taking zuranolone is not recommended, but since the drug is only taken for 14-day courses at a time, nursing mothers can “pump and dump” while taking the medicine, then resume nursing after completing the two-week treatment.
Watch the full interview at the top of this story.
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