ACOG educational bulletin. Psychosocial risk factors: perinatal screening and intervention. Number 255, November 1999. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Addressing the broad range of psychosocial issues with which pregnant women are confronted is an essential step toward improving women s health and birth outcomes. This may be difficult to do completely in a private physician s office setting, therefore, an effective system of referrals is helpful. To increase the likelihood of successful interventions, psychosocial screening should be performed on a regular basis and documented in the patient s prenatal record.