Testing screening questions for perinatal mental health disorders

This research is evaluating a stepped screening approach — a series of simple questionnaires — to help identify pregnant women and new mothers who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The study uses well-known screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and other brief questionnaires to see which combination works best at catching these conditions early.

Many pregnant women and new mothers struggle with mental health conditions, but they often go undetected because healthcare providers lack a clear, reliable way to screen for them. This research aims to find the best combination of simple screening questions so that more women get the support they need during this vulnerable time.