Perinatal Inpatient Program

To make Referrals to the Inpatient Program, please call the UNC Psychiatry Admissions Office at 919-966-8721.

Perinatal Mood Disorders

Depression or anxiety that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth is called a perinatal mood disorder. Perinatal mood disorders are very serious conditions that impact both the mother and baby. Symptoms may get worse without proper treatment. A mood disorder is a medical illness that can be effectively treated if you seek help. 

Help is available for women with mood disorders during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Working with doctors, nurses, midwives, counselors, and social workers, we will help create the best plan to manage symptoms and get mothers on the road to a healthier pregnancy and a happier time with their baby. Current treatments include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, estrogen therapy, psychotherapy or a combination.

What are the symptoms?

Postpartum Depression:

After the birth of the baby, many new mothers experience what is known as postpartum depression (PPD). Others may experience anxiety, panic attacks, worsening symptoms of pre-existing bipolar illness and/or symptoms of psychosis. These disorders can happen after any birth, not just after the first child. It is important to seek help if these symptoms last longer than a few weeks, or if symptoms are severe or worrisome.

• Feeling sad 
• Crying a lot 
• Trouble concentrating 
• Trouble sleeping, not eating, poor self-care 
• Feeling emotionally numb 
• Lack of energy or too much energy 
• Not interested in things you used to enjoy 
• Not interested in your baby 
• Fear of hurting yourself or your baby 
• Feeling worthless or guilty 
• Withdrawing from people
• Often feeling more anxious than depressed

Postpartum Psychosis: 

Another form of Postpartum Depression is Postpartum Psychosis. Postpartum Psychosis is a serious illness that can be severe and life threatening. Women with bipolar disorder are at high risk for having severe postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis. The psychotic symptoms include: 

• Delusions (thoughts that are not based in reality
• Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there)
• Disorganized thinking 

Often mothers who develop postpartum psychosis are having a severe episode of a mood disorder, usually bipolar (manic-depression) disorder with psychotic features. It is essential for women to get evaluation and treatment immediately.

Our Inpatient Unit

The Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Program is directed by Samantha Meltzer-Brody M.D. The Perinatal Mood Disorders Inpatient Unit is directed by Elizabeth S. Bullard, M.D.

The Perinatal Mood Disorders Inpatient Unit consists of 4 private and 2 semi-private beds on a 15 bed, locked unit shared with geriatric psychiatry. Traditionally the geriatric unit has been preferred by postpartum patients because of the generally calm and quiet atmosphere.  While the unit is shared, the therapies are separated and tailored to our perinatal patients.  The program has a dedicated group room and specialized group and individual programming.  If fewer than 2 postpartum patients are admitted, the programming will be done on an individual basis. 

The program provides comprehensive assessment and treatment, including medication stabilization and specialized individual and group counseling. Additionally, the program encourages extended visiting hours to maximize positive interaction between mother and baby.

Comfort measures include:

• Protected sleep times 
• Dedicated private and semi-private rooms
• Gliders for pumping/nursing in patient rooms
• Dedicated group room
• Pumps, supplies, and refrigerator for milk storage
• Lactation consultant available
• Nursing staff trained in postpartum and antepartum care 
• Extended visiting hours for spouses and babies to maximize positive mother-baby interaction (there are no accommodations for rooming-in with the baby). 
• Group therapies including: art therapy, relaxation, biofeedback, exercise, behavioral therapy, and psycho-education for both patients and spouses 

For patients coming from out of town:

Please see the UNC Visitor Information site.

For family or friends travelling with the patient, please obtain the list of hotel accommodations in the area by contacting Patient Relations at 919-966-5006.  Note: there are no accommodations for rooming-in with the baby. 

For general information about our Women's Mood Disorders Program please call 919-966-9640.

To make Referrals to the Inpatient Program, please call the UNC Psychiatry Admissions Office at 919-966-8721.