On November 15, the American Medical Association (AMA) followed in the footsteps of the other trade associations serving women and families to adopt policies calling for screening of maternal depression and anxiety.

The following statement appeared on their website:

Reducing Health Issues Associated with Births

With at least one in seven women experiencing anxiety or depression during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth and 65,000 U.S. women having serious health complications from pregnancy-related causes, the American Medical Association adopted new policies to encourage a routine protocol that would include depression screening in pregnant and postpartum women. The AMA also will advocate for state and federal legislation that would establish Maternal Mortality Review Committees to analyze the circumstances surrounding deaths that occur during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth.

“As attention is turned toward the newborn, the health and wellbeing of the mother can, unfortunately, take a back seat, even as preventable physical and mental issues pose dangers. We need to recognize that dangers of post-partum depression and recognize that pregnancy-related deaths have been increasing,” said Albert J. Osbahr III, MD, a member of the AMA Board of Trustees. Read more.