Perinatal depression.

Despite the fact that childbirth is often a time of joy for a family, the occurrence of perinatal depression is very common. It is essential for the depressed patient to be identified and treated during the pregnancy or postpartum because the failure to treat can have significant morbidity and even mortality for the woman and the child. Despite various concerns several antidepressant medications are generally safe and, after a careful risk/benefit analysis and informed consent, indicated for the severely depressed pregnant or lactating patient.