Post-Partum Depression Test Free By Phone

*Post-Partum Depression Test Free By Phone*

*UPI *

March 21, 2011

A U.S. insurance company for doctors of obstetrics and gynecology is
offering a free post-partum depression test by phone, insurance company
officials say.

The free test, available to any U.S. new mother through her doctor, is
conducted over the telephone and sends a report on a patient's session to
her physician's office. The test evaluates the patient's condition, and
involves the doctor in taking action for the patient, officials of
Obstetricians & Gynecologists RRG of America Inc. say.

Patients can sign up their doctors, and doctors then assign the test via the
Web site: www.freeppdtest.com.

Doctors are allowed an unlimited number of free tests for their
post-delivery patients and no advertisements are included on the Web site,
company officials say.

Some states, such as New Jersey, require post-partum depression tests, but
most doctors encourage all women to have a post-partum depression test 6-18
weeks after delivery.

Post-partum depression affects about one in nine or 10 women following
delivery. Symptoms include trouble sleeping, feeling disconnected from the
baby, having scary or negative thoughts about the baby, or worrying about
seriously hurting the baby, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
says.

--
Jodi Kluchar

www.ptsdafterchildbirth.org