Postpartum &
Perinatal Conditions
Expert perinatal psychiatric care with deep knowledge of medication safety during breastfeeding. Postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar are all treated here — compassionately and effectively.
Postpartum depression affects roughly 1 in 7 women and requires prompt treatment for maternal and infant well-being. Sertraline is often first-line during breastfeeding due to low milk transfer; other SSRIs are appropriate based on prior response. Brexanolone and zuranolone are FDA-approved specifically for postpartum depression. Dr. Farkas prescribes with LactMed evidence in hand.
What is Postpartum?
Expert perinatal psychiatric care with deep knowledge of medication safety during breastfeeding. Postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and bipolar are all treated here — compassionately and effectively.
Dr. Farkas brings a rare combination of MD/PhD neuroscience training, NIH research center experience, and clinical expertise to the evaluation and treatment of postpartum & perinatal. Her 30–60 minute new patient evaluations are designed to understand your full picture — medical history, prior treatments, contributing factors — before any treatment begins.
Effective treatment requires accurate diagnosis. Dr. Farkas's rigorous diagnostic approach ensures the right condition is identified and treated — not just the most common one that looks similar.
ACOG ↗ · NIMH Mental Health Information ↗ · APA Patient Resources ↗
Common presentations
This page is educational and is not a diagnostic tool.
How Dr. Farkas treats Postpartum & Perinatal
Evidence-based, neurobiologically-informed care. The treatment plan is built around your specific situation — not a protocol template.
What to expect from your first appointment
A new patient evaluation with Dr. Farkas is 30–60 minutes — not a rushed intake. It covers your full psychiatric and medical history, prior diagnoses, all medications tried, and what has or hasn't worked. You'll leave with a clear diagnosis, a treatment plan you understand and agree with, and a follow-up already scheduled.
Telehealth is available throughout South Carolina and New York. In-person appointments are available at our Hilton Head Island, SC office.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to take antidepressants while breastfeeding?
What are brexanolone and zuranolone?
What is postpartum psychosis?
Related Conditions
↑ Full list of psychiatric conditions treated
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you are in immediate danger.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. No doctor–patient relationship is established through website use. Individual results vary; no specific outcome is guaranteed. Telehealth visits are conducted on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Gabriella I. Farkas, MD PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist licensed in South Carolina and New York.
Ready to talk to a
perinatal psychiatrist?
30–60 minutes. Expert diagnosis. A treatment plan built around your specific situation.
Postpartum depression affects roughly 1 in 7 women and requires prompt treatment for maternal and infant well-being. Sertraline is often first-line during breastfeeding due to low milk transfer; other SSRIs are appropriate based on prior response. Brexanolone and zuranolone are FDA-approved specifically for postpartum depression. Dr. Farkas prescribes with LactMed evidence in hand.
Key Takeaways
- Postpartum depression needs prompt treatment for the health of both parent and baby.
- Sertraline is often first-line while breastfeeding because little passes into breast milk.
- Brexanolone and zuranolone are FDA-approved specifically for postpartum depression.
- Postpartum psychosis is rare but a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate hospital care.
↑ Full list of psychiatric conditions treated
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to take antidepressants while breastfeeding?
Most SSRIs — particularly sertraline — transfer minimally into breast milk and are considered compatible with breastfeeding by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Untreated postpartum depression carries substantial maternal and infant risk. Decisions are individualized using LactMed data.
What are brexanolone and zuranolone?
FDA-approved medications specifically for postpartum depression. Brexanolone (Zulresso) is a 60-hour IV infusion; zuranolone (Zurzuvae) is a 14-day oral course. Both offer rapid onset compared to conventional antidepressants.
What is postpartum psychosis?
A rare (1–2 per 1000 births) psychiatric emergency involving hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and — critically — elevated risk to both mother and infant. Requires immediate hospitalization.