Breakthrough pill treats postpartum depression -- what that means for Wisconsin mothers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first pill designed to treat postpartum depression. One OBGYN said postpartum depression in Wisconsin is very common and under-diagnosed and treated.

"For those who have more severe mental health concerns, this can be a real game changer," said Dr. Ryan McDonald, OBGYN at UW- Health in Madison.

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs in mothers after the birth of a baby. The pill is called Zurzuvae and was created by Cambridge drug makers Sage Therapeutics and Biogen.

Researchers said new mother can take the pill once a day for 14 days and will see improvements in symptoms to some degree.

Mother of three, Heather Nischke, said during her first two pregnancies, she went through postpartum depression and knows how dark that can push a new mother.

"I was having a lot of intrusive thoughts, envisioning what could go wrong. It made me not want to take them places," said Nischke.

Now she's part of the group Postpartum Support International, a group that raises awareness for prenatal mental health. She said because there isn't enough postpartum treatments available, this pill is monumental.

"That's huge being able to have them pick up a prescription, being monitored by their loved ones and follow their care providers directions will be a lot more manageable," said Nischke.

The cost of the pill is still unknown. It is also unknown if the pill is safe for breastfeeding mothers.