The Perinatal Guideline Summary is a new comprehensive resource available for our OB/GYN and primary care providers. The Summary outlines perinatal care from preconception care through postpartum care with an emphasis on patient and family counseling, and laboratory work and testing. It also details perinatal care throughout each stage of pregnancy from the patient?s initial OB/GYN visit through subsequent visits over 40 weeks. Risk factors to pay close attention to throughout each trimester are also identified.

For providers located in New Jersey

New Jersey law mandates that health care providers include family members, as appropriate, in prenatal and postpartum counseling, especially as it relates to postpartum depression. It also mandates that new mothers be screened for postpartum depression symptoms prior to discharge from the birthing facility and at the first few postpartum check-up visits. Although the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is the most commonly used postpartum screening method, the New Jersey law does not specify which screening tool should be used for the screening.

To assist providers, Independence has identified a variety of depression screening tools available, which is included within the Perinatal Guidelines Summary. Information provided includes the number of items in the survey, time to complete, and sensitivity and specificity for each screening tool.

You can access the Perinatal Guidelines Summary on our website. Paper copies can be ordered by submitting an online request or by calling the Provider Supply Line at 1-800-858-4728.