Diana is the author of books and information designed to help women in their struggle with postpartum depression. You can order them here.

Women’s Reproductive Mental Health Across the Lifespan

Pregnancy and childbirth are generally viewed as joyous occasions. Yet for numerous women, these events instead bring anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. Increased interest in risk reduction and early clinical intervention is bringing reproductive issues to the forefront of women’s mental health.

The scope of Women’s Reproductive Mental Health across the Lifespan begins long before the childbearing years, and continues well after those years have ended.

Empirical findings, case examples, and dispatches from emerging areas of the field illuminate representative issues across the continuum of women’s lives with the goal of more effective care benefitting women and their families. Chapter authors discuss advances in areas such as fertility treatment and contraception, and present current thinking on the psychological impact of pregnancy loss, menopause, cancer, and other stressors. These expert contributors emphasize the connections between an individual’s biology and psychology and cultural expectations in shaping women’s mental health, and the balance between a client’s unique history and current clinical knowledge clinicians need to address disorders. Included in the coverage:

• The experience of puberty and emotional wellbeing.
• Body image issues and eating disorders in the childbearing years.
• Risk assessment and screening during pregnancy.
• Normal and pathological postpartum anxiety.
• Mood disorders and the transition to menopause.
• The evolution of reproductive psychiatry.

A reference with an extended shelf life, Women’s Reproductive Mental Health across the Lifespan enhances the work of researchers and practitioners in social work, clinical psychology, and psychiatry, and has potential relevance to all health care professionals. Purchase now on Amazon by clicking here. 

The Journey to Parenthood

Pregnancy is the perfect time for expectant parents to run through a psychological dress rehearsal” of what life may be like once the baby is born. The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality and What Really Matters answers questions and debunks some of the myths about the journey to parenthood, illustrating how idealistic expectations can clash with the stark realities of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

You can purchase the book from amazon.com, or by contacting the publisher directly at 800-247-6553.

Transition to Parenthood CD

The complement to the Transition to Parentood book, this CD also covers the many changes that accompany new parenthood, helping clinicians and childbirth educators work with expectant parents during this critical time. $21.95 plus shipping.

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 Transition to Parenthood

This training manual for clinicians and childbirth educators comprehensively covers expectant parent issues, while emphasizing the often ignored psychological and emotional changes that partners may experience. The classes outlined in this training manual are specifically designed to provide couples the opportunity to examine these beliefs and expectations and to help them make the most of this important time of psychological preparation. It offers birthing educators an excellent opportunity to deliver crucial information to families in an easy-to-digest format. $65.00 plus shipping.

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Online Resources

Los Angeles Perinatal Mental Health Task Force
Established in 2007, the Task Force is a volunteer network of over 30 individuals representing more than 15 public, private and community agencies whose mission is to remove barriers to improve prevention, screening and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in Los Angeles County.

www.maternalmentalhealthla.org

Postpartum Support International
Dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with the goal of increasing awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional changes that women face around the child-bearing years. The organization provides resources, referrals and online support.

www.postpartum.net

California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
The Collaborative was formed in September 2011 with a mission to bring stakeholders together to exchange ideas, identify barriers and opportunities and form collaborative relationships to increase and improve maternal mental health awareness, diagnosis and treatment in California and beyond.

www.camaternalmentalhealth.org

More Resources In Print

The Mommy Plan, Restoring Your Post-Pregnancy Body Naturally, Using Women’s Traditional Wisdom 1st Edition