In this review paper, we are presenting evidence on the mental health aspects of maternal health care, with a special focus on the South Asian context. The report will be of use to people working in the area of health, mental health and reproductive health. Program organizers, researchers, students, trainers, policy makers and others with an interest in the interphase between mental health and reproductive health, may find something interesting in this presentation.

The reproductive health literature takes a cursory look at mental health, whereas the mental health literature is not sensitive to the emotional aspects of general health, including reproductive health. This report advocates the view that mental health, defined broadly as wellness, is the backbone of maternal health. All topics in maternal health must begin with some concept of wellness.

The report is woman centered and gives a holistic approach to mental health in reproductive health, especially emphasising promotion / prevention, community work, creating wholesome healing opportunities for expecting and new mothers, and the use of traditional practices. The expansion of a community level cadre of mental health professionals and the extensive use of psycho-social interventions is emphasised.

Objectives of the review
The report reviews research studies done since the 1990s on the mental health dimensions of pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. The objectives of the review are:
	To present and examine the available data on the mental health aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum
	To make the linkages between women's health, maternal morbidity and mental health
	To present data coming from feminist or women's studies as well as psychiatric data for making the relevant linkages, or for raising critical questions
	To draw, where possible, implications for clinical work or for interventions, especially those that are preventative
	To highlight research gaps
	To articulate policy questions in the light of available data

Methodology

We collected resources directly linking reproductive health and mental health. An inter-disciplinary approach was adopted for the review. We looked at studies on the following subjects: psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, psychology, nutrition, women's mental health and women's health. For the review, both manual searches in libraries as well as web searches were conducted over a two-year period. Books, study reports, internationally peer reviewed journal articles, community research reports, and policy papers have been considered in the compilation. For presenting the available data, we have considered studies, which had a clear research problem and design. While the focus was on Indian studies or studies from the Asia-Pacific region, western studies could not be avoided, as they set the pace for the Indian research. Community studies, social science studies as well as epidemiological and clinical studies were looked at. Evidence coming from women's studies, reproductive health, maternal health have constituted vital data in reviewing the medical texts. PUBMED, MEDLINE databases and the NEUROMED database brought out by NIMHANS were searched. Citation indices and author searches were used for tracking recent work by prominent mental health professionals working in the area. For cross validation of our data, we looked at evidence bases and other comprehensive recent reviews. Some articles unavailable in India or in Pune city were obtained by writing to professionals concerned. Key journals were updated after the review was done.

Contents
1.	Motherhood
2.	Maternal mortality and morbidity
3.	Mental health: Scope and burden
4.	Psychiatric problems in pregnancy and childbirth
5.	Causes of emotional ill health
6.	Maternal mental health and children
7.	Infertility
8.	Violence
9.	Interventions for depression
10.	Prophylaxis and prevention
11.	Services and policy development
12.	In conclusion: Research gaps

Details of Publication
©Bhargavi V Davar (Pune, CAMH, January, 2004)
Written by:	Bhargavi V Davar & Sonali Wayal
Supported by:	John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Fund for Leadership Development, 2001 given to Dr. Bhargavi Davar
No. of pages:	96 pp.
Price:	Cost of postage only (Rs. 70/= if inland; $10/- if foreign, payable to 'Bapu Trust for Research on Mind & Discourse, Pune' by demand draft at the address given below.)

Address for Correspondence:
Dr. Bhargavi V. Davar
Center for Advocacy in Mental Health
a research centre of Bapu Trust
Kapil Villa, Plot no. 9
Survey No. 50/4, Kondhwa Khurd
Pune-411048
Tel: 020-26837644/47
Email: wamhc@dataone.in; info@camhindia.org