PREPP: Preventing Postpartum Depression

The primary aim of this study is to determine if a behavioral intervention targeting maternal caregiving of young infants can increase infant sleep and reduce fuss/cry behavior, and thereby (1) reduce the incidence and/or severity of postpartum maternal depression and (2) improve the quality of the mother-infant interaction and subsequent child development. Specifically, the study team will investigate: (1) the effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care; (2) if the effects of the intervention can be detected in the assessments of the quality of mother-infant interaction; (3) if there are prenatal and/or postnatal biomarkers that can help identify infants whose behavior is more likely to play a role in their mothers' depression; (4) if these markers differentiate which infants will be most responsive to the intervention(s); and (5), if assessments of brain function at birth and at 4-6 weeks of age provide biological nodal points for identifying the effects of the intervention on infant brain development. Participants will be recruited during their 2nd trimester, and will be randomly separated into one of two groups: a group that receives coaching in parenting techniques (4 in-person coaching sessions and 1 phone session) or one that receives treatment as usual.