Behavioral health needs are closely tied to fertility, pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet many patients continue to struggle to access timely, coordinated support. Fragmented systems, stigma and unclear referral pathways often leave symptoms unaddressed during one of the most vulnerable periods of a patient’s life.
In a recent Lucet webinar, Behavioral Health in OB‑GYN: Practical Integration That Works, clinical leaders, Keri Coy, Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Sr. Dir., Care Management) and Hallel Saine (Clinician, C365) discussed why OB‑GYN settings are uniquely positioned to address these challenges and shared practical strategies for translating screening into meaningful care.
Why ob-gyns are central to behavioral health integration
OB‑GYNs serve as a consistent point of care across the motherhood journey, from preconception and early pregnancy through delivery and postpartum care. Because behavioral health needs do not emerge at a single point in time, this longitudinal relationship is critical.
“OB‑GYNs are often the most consistent point of care across the motherhood journey, which puts them in a unique position to identify concerns early and connect patients to the right support at the right time,” said Keri Coy.
Approximately one in five patients experience a perinatal mental health condition. Many enter pregnancy already experiencing anxiety or depression, while others develop symptoms during pregnancy or months after childbirth as sleep deprivation, identity shifts and caregiving demands increase. These symptoms are not always obvious and may present as missed appointments, persistent worry or difficulty engaging in care.
“OB‑GYNs are often the most consistent point of care across the motherhood journey, which puts them in a unique position to identify concerns early and connect patients to the right support at the right time.”
Keri Coy, LCSW – Sr. Director, Care Management
Perinatal behavioral health is a spectrum
A core theme of the webinar was the importance of viewing perinatal behavioral health as an evolving spectrum, not a single moment. Peak symptom onset often occurs three to six months postpartum, well after the standard postpartum visit, with the highest suicide risk reported between nine and 12 months after birth.
“Behavioral health challenges during the perinatal period aren’t a moment, they’re a spectrum that evolves over time and requires ongoing attention, not just a one‑time screen,” Coy emphasized.
When symptoms go unidentified or untreated, they may persist for years, affecting the patient’s well‑being, family dynamics and child development. This makes early identification and sustained follow‑up essential.
Screening as the entry point, not the endpoint
Screening is often the first and most accessible step toward behavioral health integration in OB‑GYN care. Evidence‑based tools such as the EPDS, PHQ‑9 and GAD‑7 are brief, familiar and easy to administer across multiple care settings. Routine screening also helps normalize mental health conversations and reduce stigma.
However, screening alone does not improve outcomes.
“The value of a screening tool isn’t the score itself, it’s what the care team does with it,” Hallel Saine explains .
Following a positive screen, experts outlined three critical actions: patient education, monitoring and follow‑up planning. Education helps patients understand what they are experiencing and their options for care. Monitoring acknowledges that symptoms change over time. Follow‑up planning ensures accountability and continuity so next steps do not stall.
“When care coordination is shared across the entire care team, outcomes improve and no single provider is left carrying all of the responsibility.”
Hallel Saine – Clinician, C365
Supporting follow‑up and quality outcomes
Many behavioral health quality measures, including HEDIS measures, require documented follow‑up rather than screening alone. Gaps in quality performance often reflect breakdowns in care coordination and follow‑through, not a lack of screening.
Structured workflows, clear referral pathways and shared accountability help ensure screening leads to action and that the full scope of care delivered is recognized.
Moving forward
Behavioral health integration in OB‑GYN care does not need to be complex to be effective. When screening is routine, coordination is intentional and follow‑up is clearly defined, practices and health plans are better positioned to support patients across the perinatal continuum.
By meeting patients where they already are and aligning care across disciplines, OB‑GYN settings can help turn screening into meaningful action and improve outcomes for patients and families alike.
Britta Nordstrom, MBA is a senior marketing specialist at Lucet.
