Expert Spotlight: Soudabeh Givrad, MD

This month, we spoke with Dr. Soudabeh Givrad about her work as an Assistant Attending Psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital as well as her research interests as the director of the Maternal-Infant Psychiatry Program and Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. As a clinical psychiatrist, she collaborates with patients to address psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and postpartum period while also implementing effective methods to support infants' mental health needs. In this interview, she discusses the importance of bridging the gap between adult and child psychiatry to cultivate continuity of care from preconception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period until early childhood.

NICU PARENT PEARLS

We know it can be a tough experience having an infant in the NICU. Here are some tips, courtesy of Dr. Givrad, on how to advocate for you and your baby when they are in the NICU: 

• Ask to be in the room during rounds to be present for you baby's treatments
• Ask if you can read a book to your baby
• Ask the team if you can hold your baby or if you don't feel comfortable, ask for help while holding your baby
• Ask what can you do to promote your baby's development
• Ask what you can do to connect with your baby
• Ask if social workers, psychologists, or mental health clinicians are available resources at your hospital or medical center