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News Articles: postpartum depression

Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 women. The first pill to treat it is expected to become available later this year, after the FDA approved it on Friday.

What we know — and don't know — about the FDA-approved postpartum depression pill

Postpartum depression affects as many as 1 in 7 women in the U.S., though there are just two treatments approved for it. Experts say the newest could be a game-changer — depending on its price tag.

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By:
  • Rachel Treisman
A pregnant woman stands for a portrait in Dallas on May 18. U.S. health officials have approved the first pill specifically intended to treat severe depression after childbirth, a condition that affects thousands of new mothers in the U.S. each year.

The FDA approves the first pill specifically intended to treat postpartum depression

The Food and Drug Administration granted approval of the drug, Zurzuvae, for adults experiencing severe depression related to childbirth or pregnancy. The pill is taken once a day for 14 days.

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By:
  • The Associated Press
Data compiled by the CDC highlights multiple weaknesses in the system of care for new mothers, from obstetricians who are not trained (or paid) to look for signs of mental trouble or addiction, to policies that strip women of health coverage shortly after they give birth.

Health department medical detectives find 84% of U.S. maternal deaths are preventable

More than half of these deaths occur well after the mom leaves the hospital. To save lives, mothers need more support in the "fourth trimester, that time after the baby is born," one researcher says.

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By:
  • April Dembosky
Miriam McDonald developed postpartum depression after giving birth to her third son, Nicholas. She says she felt sad, disconnected, and indifferent.

Women Say California Insurer Makes It Too Hard To Get Drug For Postpartum Depression

To get a new drug for postpartum depression, some insurers want women to try other drugs first and even electroconvulsive therapy. It could be a test for California's new mental health parity law.

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By:
  • April Dembosky