South Oaks Hospital Opens Innovative Perinatal Outpatient Programs in New York State

South Oaks Hospital is opening a new program to help expectant mothers, new mothers and families better manage the emotional effects of pregnancy.

Perinatal mood disorders, which can include postpartum depression, are a form of anxiety or depression that occurs during or after pregnancy.

At South Oaks, the I-MAP -- or Individual Maternal Assessment and Programs -- launched this month, is a way to assess pregnant and postpartum women and provide for their behavioral health service needs. Unprecedented in this area, behavioral health assessments and treatment recommendations will be available on a walk-in basis; 24/7 and women who require more intensive treatment may receive services in a newly opened partial hospitalization track.

After a person receives an I –MAP evaluation and is determined to potentially benefit from one of the South Oaks perinatal tracks, they will be referred to services that match their individual needs. The range of services available at South Oaks include traditional outpatient services the newly opened perinatal partial hospitalization track - which offers treatments such as medication management, infant massage, infant monitoring and fathers’ groups and, for those who require a higher level of care, acute inpatient treatment.

To prepare for the specialized requirements of the perinatal population, the South Oaks staff involved in the perinatal programs attended perinatal trainings at Zucker Hillside Hospital and received intensive evidence-based interpersonal therapy training.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer these services to mothers and families as the incidence of perinatal mood disorder is higher than most people realize; it affects about one in five women,” said Susan Stancampiano, NP, clinical lead of the program.

For more information about South Oaks’ perinatal program, call 631-608-MOMS.