Group therapy lowers postpartum depression, study finds

A group prenatal care program created with community member input reduced postpartum depression, a randomized controlled clinical trial found. Moms with depression who participated in the group prenatal care program experienced a 72% decrease in postpartum depression six weeks after delivery compared with those assigned to usual care. Among patients without baseline depression, postpartum depression rates were 60% lower for patients participating in the group prenatal care program (8.4% versus 18.6%). Group care included clinician training, offering patients transportation, and providing mental health and prenatal care for 10 sessions during pregnancy and postpartum. Sessions provided a mindfulness activity, behavioral skills and self-skills and support, as well as gestational age-appropriate content. Researchers discussed results at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine annual meeting. (MedPage Today article, 2/18/26)