Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal Mental Health
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to all mental health conditions during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and there can be new-onset of symptoms or worsening of preexisting conditions.
Perinatal mental health conditions (PMHCs) – including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive disorder, mania, and psychosis – are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. It is estimated that at least 1 in 7 women who are pregnant or give birth experience PMHCs and the incidence may be even higher in somen with elevated risk factors.
PMHCs can occur at any time during pregnancy or the postpartum period. PMHCs can have significant impacts on mother, fathers, infants, other family members, and communities, but with appropriate and timely intervention recovery is possible. There are a variety of safe, effective, and evidence-based treatments available for PMHCs, including, but not limited to: lifestyle interventions (protecting and optimizing sleep, physical activity, and nutrition), psychotherapy (counseling), support groups, and medications. Many medications are safe and effective during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Common PMADs Symptoms
Many women have mild mood changes (anxiety, mood swings, tearfulness) in the first two weeks after delivery. This is normal and is called the “Baby Blues.” If symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks or are severe, this often indicates a more serious PMHC and professional help is indicated.
You may experience:
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Feeling irritable or short-tempered
- Feeling extremely worried or panicky
- Changes in appetite (too much or too little)
- Changes in sleep (can’t sleep or don’t feel the need to sleep)
- Intrusive, scary, or uncomfortable thoughts
- Feeling out of control
- Difficulty bonding with baby
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Difficulty with thinking, or feeling that things aren’t “real.”
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
Where Can I Get Help?
Start with Your Provider
OB-GYN Support
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Crisis Support
Postpartum Support Groups
Additional Resources
There are many online resources for information and support. Make sure you are using reputable sources.
We recommend:
