Perinatal Psychiatry
About Our Program
The inpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Consult Service provides proactive and reactive consultations to pregnant and postpartum patients admitted to the Jack D. Weiler Hospital, part of the Montefiore Einstein network of hospitals. As a specialized program administered through the Intensive Outpatient Psychiatry and Perinatal Psychiatry Programs, we provide diagnosis, diagnostic clarification, medication management and support discharge planning for perinatal patients with acute psychiatric complaints. We also provide ongoing bedside psychotherapy for select cases and run a weekly support group in English and Spanish for pregnant patients admitted to Weiler.
Our team of experts understands that pregnancy can exacerbate preexisting mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. Pregnancy hormones, stress, lifestyle changes and worries about parenting can also contribute to changes in mental health and wellness. The Perinatal Psychiatry Program supports patients through these changes while pregnant and postpregnancy by managing medications and minimizing any potential risk to the developing fetus and nursing newborns.
Our Services
During pregnancy, patients may experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder, that can potentially impact a parent’s well-being and their ability to develop a meaningful relationship with their newborn child. Our service providers support our patients through these challenges and connect them with resources to maintain their wellness.
During the postpartum period, our team will help diagnose and treat mental health challenges such as postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety and panic disorders, postpartum psychosis and postpartum OCD.
To support our patients through these phases, the Montefiore Einstein Intensive Outpatient Psychiatry Program’s Perinatal Psychiatry Consult Service provides the following specialized services for pregnant and postpartum people:
- Expert consultations with our multidisciplinary team of specialists
- Short-term psychotherapy
- Weekly antepartum support group meetings
Your Perinatal Psychiatry Team
Our renowned specialists include reproductive psychiatrists and psychologists.
Rubiahna L. Vaughn, MD, MPH
Meghana R. Medavaram, MD
Candace Hatten-Powell, MD
LaTrice Wright, PhD
Find Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Locations
The Inpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Consult Service provides proactive and reactive consultations to pregnant and postpartum persons admitted to the Jack D. Weiler Hospital.
Our programs are equipped to provide behavioral health services in person or via our Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant telehealth platform. Most insurance providers offer coverage for our services—please call to inquire. Additionally, multilingual or interpreter services may be available.