Labor and delivery practices are being affected by COVID-19.  Article proposes some solutions: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/caring-moms-during-covid-19-pandemic?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Delivery%20System%20Reform

In a clinical trial of new Iranian mothers, women who participated in the Skills Training Approach (STA) had BIMF scores that were 25 points higher (<0.001), on average, than those women assigned to the control group.  Read more here: https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-020-00914-w

Can’t wait to meet the folks from North Shore Postpartum Help and speak to frontline providers at Beverly Hospital this May!  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-bring-out-the-best-in-all-of-us-conference-day-for-perinatal-care-support-providers-tickets-98421510387?fbclid=IwAR1RLo0iiIp8QeOYCCWbcYOy_zx1UGD8-XYZ7G_-eIHRxfqmu269OyM0Eu0

“@Mercer University professor, Dr. Jennifer Barkin, is playing a huge role in helping solve the maternal health crisis in the US with her focus on new mom’s mental and emotional health. #DCMaternalHealth”

In a study of 530 healthy new mothers in Iran, an average BIMF score of 97.4 was observed (obtainable range 0-120).  The assessments were completed within the first four months after childbirth.  The inclusion criteria were: having had only one child, having been pregnant with only one child, a normal pregnancy and labor, self‐reported physical…

“This book has been inspired by the clinical practice of authors involved in its creation. It concerns perinatal depression starting from its genetic background, describing clinical features of this disorder, taking into consideration the impact of perinatal depression on child development during first years of life. We know that an altered gestational uterine environment due…

A study of 530 healthy, Iranian women with infants between the ages of 6-10 weeks postpartum were studied in order to validate the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) and assess levels of postpartum functioning.  Results from this investigation, lead by Dr(s) Mojgan Mirghafourvand and Solmaz Ghanbari-Homayi (and others), indicate that the BIMF is both…

More coverage of my testimony  can be found here: https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/legislators-examine-mental-health-in-maternal-mortality/article_6f57c4a5-4100-58a7-8d0c-3e63f25ad6ac.html.      

Testified today in front of the Georgia House of Representatives Maternal Mortality Study Committee. Advocated for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs) training for all current and aspiring healthcare providers who see new mothers – and for universal PMADs screening. The tools are in place – we just need the will.

Maternal functioning scores improved by 19 points in patients who participated in the Mother Baby Connections (MBC) program.  MBC is an intensive, outpatient perinatal mental health program housed at Drexel University.   Read more here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30284095.