title: A mother-baby psychiatric day hospital: History, rationale, and why perinatal mental health is important for obstetric medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women frequently experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns during pregnancy and postpartum, impacting her and her infant's health. Patients who require management of medical conditions during the perinatal period are even more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to those without comorbid medical issues. Despite the availability of effective treatments, perinatal mental health utilization rates are strikingly low.
  
  
  METHODS
  To address common treatment barriers, we developed a specialized mother-baby day hospital for women with psychiatric distress during the peripartum. In this report, we summarize findings from 800 patient satisfaction surveys collected from women treated at the program between 2007 and 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings suggest that women are highly satisfied with the treatment received, often noting that the inclusion of the baby in their treatment is a highly valued feature of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relevance of perinatal mental health services for patients who are followed by obstetrical medicine specialists is discussed.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Medicine, Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA; Psychosocial Research Program, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
authors: Cynthia L
authors: CL
authors: Battle
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Medicine, Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA.
authors: Margaret M
authors: MM
authors: Howard
keywords: Depression; anxiety; mental health; mother-baby unit; treatment