The Emory Womens’ Mental Health Program was originally founded in 1991 as the Postpartum Mood Disorders Program. The program was founded and directed by Zachary N. Stowe, M.D., a leader in the field of women's mental health. As the referrals for postpartum illness grew it became obvious that many of these women experienced symptoms during pregnancy, experienced more depression and anxiety with their menstrual cycles, and worried that such symptoms would return after subsequent pregnancies. The original program expanded to include women with infertility issues and endometriosis. Our clinical and research collaborations with colleagues in Psychology, Neurology, and OB/Gyn warranted changing the program name in 2001. The goals of the clinical program are best exemplified by the following axioms:

"Healthy women have the best chance of having a healthy baby"

"Pregnant and nursing women should not be emotionally punished or allowed to suffer for being pregnant or nursing"

It is a common misconception that pregnancy represents a time of emotional well-being for all women. The rates and severity of most depressive and anxiety disorders do not decrease during pregnancy. Most of the information that is available to women gives the impression that pregnancy progresses without complication, pregnant women seldom need medications, delivery is uncomplicated, all babies are cosmetically perfect, and that breastfeeding is easy. These 'perfect childbirth experiences' account for less than 15% of all pregnancies. Unfortunately, these misconceptions lead to a greater sense of failure for many new mothers. Similarly, the only time that postpartum emotional disturbances are discussed in the news is when something terrible has happened. Very, very few women with postpartum emotional disorders ever pose a threat to their to babies.

The major clinical focus of the program is the identification and treatment planning for women with emotional disorders as they progress through the childbearing years. The program offers comprehensive education, information, and treatment planning for women with a history of psychiatric illness as they consider starting their families, including women currently in infertility programs. We specialize in the identification and treatment of mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Emory Women's Mental Health Program is one of the few university centers conducting research in these areas. The combination of clinical research with ongoing clinical treatment planning provides access to the latest information. Evaluations include up to date information, articles published in major journals, and comprehensive treatment planning tailored to the individual. The typical situations that are our specialty include:

1.	Pre-Conception Evaluation and Counseling: Women with a history of psychiatric illness that are considering starting their families. This includes women that are taking psychiatric medications and/or anti-epileptic drugs or may have recently stopped medications in preparation for pregnancy.
2.	Pregnancy Evaluation and Treatment Planning: The normal changes of pregnancy often overlap with many of the symptoms of psychiatric illness. It is often difficult to tease out what is pregnancy and what is not - experience in this area is of utmost importance in evaluations.
3.	Postpartum Prevention: Women with a history of postpartum depression or other psychiatric history are at increased risk to have significant emotional symptoms after childbirth. Not all prevention strategies include medications, and knowledge about medications and other interventions in breastfeeding provide these women with the best opportunity to have the postpartum experience they desire.
4.	Postpartum Onset Emotional Disorders: Postpartum depression has been documented since the time of Hippocrates, yet many women have received limited information about postpartum depression before they deliver. Effective, safe, and expedient treatment of postpartum women have been the cornerstone of the Program since its inception.