S4E3: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health: Part 1

S4E3: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health: Part 1

Author: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists May 8, 2025 Duration: 54:28
Maternal mental health plays a critical role in pregnancy and postpartum outcomes, but there are still many challenges in effectively addressing it in clinical practice. This first episode in our two-part maternal mental health special dives into the integral role that mental health plays during pregnancy and postpartum, focusing on mood and anxiety disorders and their effects on maternal outcomes. Experts discuss screening and diagnosis recommendations and racial and socioeconomic inequities in access to care. Listeners will gain valuable insights on supporting maternal well-being, reducing stigma, and improving screening and diagnosis. David F. Silver, MD, MBA, FACOG, reproductive psychiatrist and director of women’s behavioral health at University of Pittsburg Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, and Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG, the Donna M. and Robert J. Manning chair in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine, the academic partner of University of Massachusetts Memorial Health, join Labor of Love host Veronica Maria Pimentel, MD, MS, FACOG, to discuss strategies for bettering maternal mental health care.  

Special commentary provided by Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM.

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to mental health and health inequities. It may be difficult for listeners who have experienced pregnancy-related complications or who are sensitive to discussions of health care disparities. Take care while listening.

Dr. Veronica “Vero” Pimentel brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the conversation in Labor of Love: Supporting Maternal Well-Being in a Complex World. As a practicing OB-GYN, a dedicated vaccine expert, and a mother who navigated parenting during a pandemic, she guides each discussion with both professional expertise and lived experience. This podcast moves beyond simple advice, creating a space where honest dialogue about maternal and postpartum health can flourish. Vero sits down with a range of health care professionals and specialists, unpacking everything from the critical importance of maternal immunization to other emerging and often overlooked issues affecting new parents. These conversations aim to demystify the latest research, address contemporary challenges, and highlight meaningful breakthroughs in care. Created with support from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the series offers a trusted, nuanced resource for anyone interested in the multifaceted journey of motherhood. Listeners will find a blend of science, compassion, and practical insight, all focused on supporting well-being through the profound transition into parenthood. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend who understands the complexities of keeping both parent and child healthy in today's world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 24

Labor of Love: Supporting Maternal Well-Being in a Complex World
Podcast Episodes
S1E3: Understanding COVID-19 and Fertility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
Paige Dempsey is a single mother who got pregnant by undergoing IVF. During her pregnancy, Paige contracted COVID-19. This week, Paige shares her motherhood journey with COVID-19 and how she decided to receive a COVID-19…
S1E2: Maternal Health Disparities and COVID-19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
Kntrice Anadumaka has a powerful story of surviving COVID-19 while pregnant when she was not vaccinated early in the pandemic. In this episode, Kntrice shares about her experience with COVID-19 and vaccinations, as well…
S1E1: COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Safety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
Jennifer Gaines became pregnant with her second child early in the pandemic when vaccines were first becoming available. Jennifer is a Certified Nurse Midwife and shares how she made the decision to get vaccinated agains…