William Ferguson

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Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression is the most common and serious disorder of the first postnatal year.  It is a uniquely stressful time in the life of a family, and unfortunately coincides for the mother with a period of unparalleled biological vulnerability to mood disorder.  Furthermore, at this time the infant is also passing through his or her most vulnerable and sensitive phase of brain development.  This unique juxtaposition of risk and vulnerability currently occurs at a point of significant dysfunction in New Zealand’s primary healthcare system. Women have more exposure to various healthcare providers during pregnancy and the postnatal period than at any other time in their lives, and yet enigmatically this illness goes largely undetected and untreated.  The art and science of supporting motherhood over this period is a key role for every family doctor.

Intended audience: This session will be of interest to any GP or Practice Nurse who cares for women in the first postnatal year.  Screening, diagnosis and treatment of postnatal depression will be discussed.

Biography: William Ferguson has practiced as a General Practitioner in Kumeu for 24 years. For 22 years he provided full maternity care to the practice population and developed a particular interest in the issues brought to focus by multigenerational care. This included developmental disorders, postnatal care in the first post partum year, post partum depression and the fetal origins of adult disease. Since maternity care has been excluded from General Practice his main interest has been Mental Health and Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. He was ProCare’s GP of the Year in 2007.