S4E4: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health: Part 2

S4E4: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health: Part 2

Author: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists May 22, 2025 Duration: 42:16
Finishing our two-part maternal mental health special, this episode explores the critical role of mental health treatment during pregnancy and postpartum. Experts discuss treatment recommendations, strategies for integrating mental health care into obstetric practice, and the latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of psychiatric medications during pregnancy and lactation. Listeners will gain valuable insights into supporting maternal well-being, reducing stigma, and improving treatment. David 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 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
S4E6: Safe Travels: Risks, Tips, and Best Practices During Pregnancy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
Many patients wonder if it’s safe to travel during pregnancy. What should obstetric care professionals be advising? This episode provides guidance on counseling patients who plan to travel during pregnancy, covering heal…
S4E5: Stillbirth: Navigating Compassionate Care and Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
Supporting families through the profound loss of stillbirth requires both clinical expertise and emotional sensitivity. This episode explores how obstetric care professionals can support grieving families through compass…
S4E3: Breaking the Silence on Maternal Mental Health: Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
S4E2: Vaccinating for Two: Overcoming Challenges in Maternal Vaccines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:00
Immunization during pregnancy plays a vital role in protecting both patients and their babies. This episode provides health professionals with the latest guidance on immunization during pregnancy, including COVID-19, Inf…
Season 4 Trailer: Supporting Maternal Well-Being in a Complex World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:43
Season 4 of ACOG’s Labor of Love podcast is here on Thursday, April 10. Join Veronica Pimentel, MD, MS, FACOG, a practicing ob-gyn, vaccine expert, and pandemic mom, as she leads conversations with experts on today’s mos…
S3E6: Preventing Perinatal HIV Transmission: Today’s Landscape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
Continuing our two-part series, this season’s final episode tackles the present-day strategies for perinatal HIV care. Rodney Wright, MD, FACOG, from Montefiore-Einstein Medical Center and Susan Gillespie, MD, PhD, from…
S3E5: Preventing Perinatal HIV Transmission: Lessons from the Past [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:56
This Labor of Love episode marks the beginning of a two-part exploration into the evolution of HIV care during pregnancy. Haben Debessai, MD, from the CDC Foundation and Rhoda Sperling, MD, FACOG, from Mount Sinai join L…
S3E4: A Deep Dive into Maternal Vaccines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:41
During the past year, there have been new developments to guidelines for vaccination in pregnancy—most notably the addition of the maternal RSV vaccine. Yvonne Butler Tobah, MD, FACOG, from the Mayo Clinic and Christophe…