Perinatal Mental Health (PMH)
Pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood can be stressful because they may change a woman’s identity, physical health and economic situation. Anxiety and depression in the perinatal period are common, affecting an estimated one in ten women in high-income countries and one in five in low- and middle-income countries. This highlights the importance of supporting PMH globally.
Women who already have a history of mental health problems may find that their symptoms reappear or worsen during the perinatal period. Others may experience poor mental health for the first time during this period.
Frequency of PMH conditions
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in the perinatal period. Until recently, most research into mental health in this period focused primarily on postnatal depression, but there is a growing body of research considering maternal mental health during pregnancy and even preconceptionally.
Consequences
Worsening of a woman’s mental health during the perinatal period can affect her well-being and that of her infant and family.
Modified from Guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
​
Poor mental health, particularly if severe and left untreated, may be associated with an increased risks of obstetric complications and less optimal birth outcomes (e.g., pre-eclampsia, haemorrhage, preterm birth, stillbirth low infant birthweight). In addition, women may be less likely to attend antenatal and postnatal appointments. Offspring of women who experience a mental health problem such as depression during pregnancy, may also be at greater risk of developing physical illnesses, and emotional and behavioural difficulties in childhood, adolescence and also adulthood, as well as a less optimal mother-child relationship.
Social determinants and other risk factors
Some women may be at greater risk of poor mental health in the perinatal period due to personal factors, external circumstances or other health conditions. Services should be aware of circumstances that indicate that a woman may need more intensive mental health interventions.
Source: BetterBeginningsFL.com