The Reproductive Life Stages Program at Women's College Hospital provides care related to mood and anxiety difficulties linked to pre-menstrual syndrome and pregnancy; postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis; and peri-menopausal and post-menopausal psychological difficulties. Researchers and clinicians associated with the program and with WCRI are involved in a variety of research studies about different aspects of pregnancy and post-partum related depression. These include:
Characterizing Anxiety in the Perinatal Period. Drs. Sophie Grigoriadis, Diane Meschino et al.
Anxiety symptoms in the perinatal period continue to be poorly understood and have not been well researched despite the fact that pregnant and postpartum women frequently complain about them. The Reproductive Life Stages (RLS) Program is conducting a study to investigate the anxiety symptoms women experience during pregnancy and postpartum to clarify these symptoms and to determine their frequency and severity. Ultimately knowledge gained from this study will facilitate the treatment of anxiety. All pregnant and postpartum women referred to the RLS program are invited to participate. For more information please call 416-323-6400 ext. 4150.
The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on the Symptoms of Depression and Treatment Response: A Comparison of Premenopausal, Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women. Dr. Sophie Grigoriadis, Dr. Sidney H. Kennedy, & Dr. Gail Robinson, funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation.
This study is investigating the effects of the menstrual cycle in depressed women and comparing the effects of hormones on treatment response in depressed premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The research is being conducted by researchers at the Women's College Hospital and the University Health Network. If you would like more information please call 416-340-4462.
Sexuality during the Postpartum Period: A Study of Postpartum Women and their Partners. Dr. Lori E. Ross, Dr. Meredith Chivers et al.
This pilot study will examine women's experiences of sexuality and mental health during the postpartum period by administering a questionnaire package to postpartum women who are patients of the Reproductive Life Stages Program, and a non-psychiatric, obstetrical population. The goals are: to better understand postpartum women's experiences of their sexuality, to examine the effects of postpartum mental health on sexuality, and to investigate postpartum women's partners' experiences of sexuality during the postpartum period. The research will be conducted by researchers at Women's College Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, pending ethical approval from appropriate ethics review boards. For more information call 416-323-6400 ext. 4150.
Can Postpartum Depression be Prevented by Reducing Sleep Deprivation? Dr. Meir Steiner, Dr. Lori E. Ross et al.
This randomized controlled trial is testing an intervention designed to reduce sleep deprivation during the first postpartum week to see if it can reduce the risk for postpartum depression among high-risk women. Women in late pregnancy are screened for their risk for postpartum depression, and high-risk women are randomized to receive either our intervention or regular postpartum care. Participating sites include Women's College Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. For more information call 416-323-6400 ext. 4305.
An RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of telephone-based interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of postpartum depression. Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis et al., including Dr. Sophie Grigoriadis and Dr. Lori E. Ross
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an established treatment for postpartum depression, interpersonal psychotherapy, when administered by nurses over the telephone. If the intervention is effective, it will provide an accessible, cost-effective treatment strategy for women who have limited access to postpartum depression treatment due to geography or other barriers. Recruitment for this study is expected to begin in fall, 2007. For more information, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis at cindylee.dennis@utoronto.ca
New mothers in a new country: Understanding postpartum depression among recent immigrant and Canadian-born Chinese women. Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis et al., including Dr. Lori E. Ross and Dr. Sophie Grigoriadis
Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression among immigrant women in Canada. This study will examine postpartum depression among Chinese women, one of the largest immigrant mothers in Canada. It will be the first to tease out the effects of immigration, acculturation and ethnicity on postpartum depression, by comparing recent immigrant and Canadian-born Chinese women across the first year postpartum. Full funding for this study is currently pending. For more information, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis at cindylee.dennis@utoronto.ca.
Engaging Aboriginal substance using, pregnant women, child welfare services and drug treatment counsellors in a collaborative process. Dr. Carol Strike et al., including Dr. Lori E. Ross
Women who use substances during pregnancy often have child welfare involvement; however, the relationships between pregnant women, their drug treatment counselors, and their child welfare workers have been little studied. This study seeks to examine the processes through which these relationships are formed, in order to establish principles for collaborative and productive relationships between all three parties. Specifically, the current study seeks to examine this issue among Aboriginal women, considering the unique context of child welfare involvement for many Aboriginal women. This community-based, participatory action research study is currently in the planning phase, and Aboriginal women with experiences of child welfare involvement are invited to consultations to help the research team develop research questions and research methods for this study. Consultations will take place during the months of October and November 2006. For more information, please call 416-323-6400x4305.
Fathers' Voices: Experiences of Fatherhood when Partners have Postpartum Depression. Maura O'Keefe, Greer Slyfield Cook et al.
This practice based research study will seek to better understand the experience of fathers whose partners have postpartum depression (PPD). Little research has been done exploring the experience of partners of women with PPD with respect to mental health, marital adjustment, and potential bonding. Semi-structured interviews with partners of PPD women referred to the RLS program will be conducted to explore the experiences of fathers. For more information please call 416-323-6400 ext. 7715.
An evidence-based algorithm to quantify risk-benefit decision-making for use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy and lactation. Drs. Lori Ross, Sophie Grigoriadis et al.
This study will synthesize the existing research evidence to determine the variables women and their physicians should consider in order to make informed decisions regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. Systematic literature reviews will be conducted and physicians and international experts will be surveyed to identify gaps in the research. This study will provide the groundwork for future development of treatment algorithms to assist in determining whether or not to use antidepressant medication in treating depression during pregnancy or while breast feeding. Funding for this study is currently pending. For more information please call 416-323-6400 ext. 4150.
Hair Levels of Cortisol Biomarkers for Depression. Drs. Stan Van Uum , Diane de Camps Meschino et al.
In collaboration with researchers at the University of Western Ontario, this study is being conducted to assess hormone levels in human hair as biomarkers of disease. The goal of this study is to measure levels of cortisol and estradiol in hair in both pregnant and non pregnant women with depression. This will be done at diagnosis and during treatment. For more information please call 416-323-6230.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and two-spirit adoption in Ontario: Policy, practice and personal narratives. Dr. Lori Ross, Rachel Epstein, Dr. Leah Steele, and Dr. Carol Strike.
This study aims to determine what barriers and supports exist for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and two-spirit (LGBTTT) people in their recent experience with adoption in Ontario and what (if any) impact the experience with adoption has on the health of these individuals. This study will use interviews with current and prospective LGBTTT adoptive parents to obtain this information. The data collected will be used improve the quality and accessibility of health and social services for LGBTTT adoptive parents and prospective parents. Interviews with LGBTTT adoptive and parents and prospective parents will take place from the fall of 2006 until 2007. For more information, call 416-260-4138 or 1-866-371-6667.
Celebrating Our Families: A Survey about African and Caribbean/Black Diaspora LGBITQ People Raising Children/'Parenting'. Dr. Lori Ross, Rachel Epstein, and Lana James.
Research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender and queer (LGBITQ) families has studied Caucasian parents almost exclusively. Research indicates that African and Caribbean/ Black Diaspora LGBITQ parents of colour face unique issues, such as racial discrimination, which could affect the accessibility of services for this population. The purpose of this research is to identify research priorities for the community and to develop a greater understanding of the resource needs of African and Caribbean/ Black Diaspora LGBITQ parents, and in so doing, allow for the development and enhancement of health and community-based services for this population. This study will conduct focus groups with African and Caribbean/ LGBITQ parents, which will take place beginning in the fall of 2006. For more information, call 416-260-4138 or 1-866-371-6667.
Brief Psychotherapy For Psychological Distress in a Subsequent Pregnancy. Drs. Jane Gregory Payne, Catherine C. Classen, Shari Kirsh
Pregnant women who experience physical and psychological traumas as a result of a previous pregnancy or childbirth often experience posttraumatic symptoms during a subsequent pregnancy, labor, or delivery. The purpose of this research is to develop a psychotherapy treatment manual for pregnant women who have suffered psychological trauma as a result of a previous pregnancy, labor, or childbirth. The aim is to reduce anxiety and enhance distress tolerance. Pregnant women will be recruited to participate in six sessions of a somatically-based individual psychotherapy which will include a post-partum session. Therapy will include education about the effects of trauma and strategies for healing, teaching somatic resources to reduce psychological distress, and encouragement of the woman's sense of connection to her baby. Pre/post clinical assessments will include narrative interviews and measures of traumatic symptoms, somatization, and dissociation. For more information, call 416-323-6400 ext. 4327.
Sleep and Mood in Women Experiencing High Risk Pregnancy. Dr. Alicja Fishell, Donna Brown et al.
Sleep during pregnancy can be disturbed for many reasons, not all of which are clearly understood. There is no information published about the characteristics of sleep in women who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Sleep for these women may be affected by their increased anxiety due to the high-risk nature of their pregnancy and by possible depressive symptoms that may emerge. It is not known whether sleep differs in women who are cared for on an ambulatory (outpatient) antenatal care basis compared to those who are hospitalized. Understanding the sleep characteristics of pregnant women experiencing a high-risk pregnancy may identify ways to improve their overall sleep quality. This descriptive study will investigate the sleep patterns of two groups of pregnant participants. The first group will include pregnant women who are hospitalized in the High Risk Perinatal Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The second group includes pregnant women who are receiving ambulatory care at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre High Risk Prenatal Clinics. For more information, please call 416-323-6400 ext. 4935.
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