Which statement about postpartum mood disorders screening is accurate?

• A. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is commonly used.
• B. PHQ-9 is the only screening tool used.
• C. Screening is not recommended postpartum.
• D. Only OBs screen for mood disorders.

Answer: (A)

Screening for postpartum mood disorders uses validated tools to catch symptoms early and guide timely care. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is the tool most commonly used in the postpartum period because it was specifically developed for perinatal mood concerns and is quick to administer as a self-report questionnaire. It covers mood, anxiety, and functional impairment over the past week, and clinicians use a cutoff score to flag possible depression for further assessment.

The PHQ-9 is a general depression screen that can be used in adults, but it isn’t the only tool and isn’t tailored to postpartum experiences. Relying on it alone may miss nuances of postpartum mood changes, so it isn’t considered the sole standard for this context.

Postpartum screening is recommended, and many guidelines support universal screening by any clinician involved in the mother’s care, not just obstetricians. The goal is to identify mood concerns early so that women can receive appropriate support and treatment.