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Reproductive Information
Mood and Cognition
The relatively high rate of depression among people with MS may contribute to an increased rate of post-partum depression. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition which should be closely monitored. (Ref : J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2004 Nov-Dec;33(6):729-38 Postpartum emotional distress in mothers with multiple sclerosis. Gulick EE, Kim S)
Cognitive changes may be present in anyone with a diagnosis of MS, and should be addressed. The health care professional who knows the MS patient is in the best position to determine whether issues about mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, euphoria, psychosis) or cognitive dysfunction (decreased memory, attention deficit, reasoning, verbal fluency) should be raised with the couple at this time. The clinician who suspects mood disorders or cognitive dysfunction should refer to psychiatry for assessment and treatment. It should be noted that cognitive dysfunction in MS can be subtle and is often not detectable by traditional means such as Mini Mental State Exam testing but may significantly interfere with parenting. (Ref : The Neuropsychiatry of Multiple Sclerosis, Feinstein, A, Can J Psychiatry, Vol 49, No. 3 March 2004)
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