BACKGROUND AND PREVALENCE
Perinatal depression, defined as depressive symptoms occurring either during pregnancy (antenatal depression [AND]) or postpartum (postpartum depression [PPD])1,2 is exceedingly common and has serious implications when not adequately identified and treated. It has been estimated that between 14% and 23% of women experience AND,3 and up to 22% of women develop PPD within the first 12 months after delivery.4 Yet, it has also been estimated that only 30% to 50% of women with AND or PPD are identified in clinical settings, and an even smaller number (14%–16%) receive any treatment for their symptoms.
