09/03/2026
This is 2026. Too many women are walking through our doors having been advised to STOP psychiatric medication abruptly during pregnancy, being overprescribed benzodiazepines without the knowledge of what’s to come, in full-blown manic episodes because they were switched to an antidepressant during pregnancy, and are barely functioning while breastfeeding having stopped adhd assistance. If you care for a mother and you’re reading this wondering why these scenarios are problematic, there’s a need for better.
Locating a medical provider qualified to treat mental health during fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum is like trying to find a needle in the haystack. OBs are required by law in our state to screen for mental health conditions but run into the issue of minimal referral sources, long wait lists, and patients in crises.
As maternal mental health crises continue, managed care has its limits, systems are drowning and the quality of care falls short of what women need during this extremely vulnerable time. Unfortunately patients are not thriving, and that matters.
This post is not to point blame, BUT to advocate and also SHARE resources. There are providers out there (on their own) who have created spaces to best practice psychiatry for this population who are aligned with the needs of this extraordinary time- hormone shifting, changing neurobiology, metabolic restructuring, physical and emotional demands, etc. This niche requires extensive education and training to make highly individualized decisions.
Families in perinatal crisis already have to make a brave choice to seek help. How they are received during that time, the hope that is or is not instilled, the warmth that is given, the understanding that is extended - ALL of this matters.
Prescribers, resources are available to you too- both through Postpartum Support International and the Louisiana Provider to Provider Consultation Line. You can schedule consultations to work with a specialist.
We also invite you to collaborate with Baton Rouge Perinatal Counseling so that we can get to know you, trust you, and extend referrals.
New to perinatal? We are happy to point you to mentors, trainings, and resources.
