El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California is renowned for its innovative programs and services. One such program is the Maternal Outreach Mood Services (MOMS) program, which has been designed to support new mothers who are experiencing emotional distress after giving birth.
The MOMS program provides a comprehensive range of services to new mothers, including screening for perinatal mood disorders, counseling, education, and referral to appropriate resources. The program was established in 2001, and since then has provided support to thousands of women in the Silicon Valley area.
Perinatal mood disorders are common and can affect up to one in seven women during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. These disorders can range from mild to severe and include conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If left untreated, these disorders can have a negative impact on the mother’s mental health, as well as on the health and development of the infant.
The MOMS program aims to identify and treat these disorders early, before they can become more serious. The program provides a range of services to support women who are experiencing emotional distress after giving birth, including screening, counseling, education, and referral to appropriate resources.
One of the key components of the MOMS program is screening for perinatal mood disorders. All new mothers who deliver at El Camino Hospital are screened for these disorders using a standardized tool called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The EPDS is a simple and effective way to identify women who may be experiencing emotional distress after giving birth. If a woman scores above a certain threshold on the EPDS, she is referred to the MOMS program for further evaluation and support.
Once a woman is referred to the MOMS program, she is assigned a dedicated counselor who provides individualized support and counseling. The counselor helps the woman to develop coping strategies and to identify ways to manage her emotions and feelings. The counselor also provides education on perinatal mood disorders and helps the woman to access appropriate resources, such as support groups or other community services.
The MOMS program also provides group counseling sessions for women who are experiencing perinatal mood disorders. These sessions provide a safe and supportive environment where women can share their experiences and learn from one another. The group sessions are led by trained counselors who provide guidance and support.
In addition to these services, the MOMS program also provides education and outreach to healthcare providers and community organizations. The program works to raise awareness about perinatal mood disorders and to promote early identification and treatment. The program also collaborates with other organizations to ensure that women have access to appropriate resources and support.
Overall, the MOMS program at El Camino Hospital is a valuable resource for women who are experiencing emotional distress after giving birth. The program provides a range of services to support women’s mental health and well-being, and works to ensure that women have access to appropriate resources and support. By providing early identification and treatment of perinatal mood disorders, the MOMS program helps to prevent more serious mental health problems from developing, and promotes the health and well-being of both mothers and infants.
El Camino Women’s Medical Group offers the latest Minimally Invasive Solutions for gynecologic problems. Drs. Amy Teng, Erika Balassiano, Pooja Gupta, and Christina Lam, all members of AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy), are highly trained and experienced in the field of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. Dr. Erika Balassiano has also completed a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship under the supervision of world-renowned Dr. Camran Nezhat.
All of our physicians are El Camino Hospital doctors and operate and deliver at the Mountain View campus.
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