Perinatal Mental Health

• Perinatal mental illness, affecting women during pregnancy and after childbirth, includes conditions like depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis, often linked to bipolar disorder. Major and minor depression rates can reach 20% during pregnancy and the initial postpartum months. Postpartum blues are a milder form of these disturbances. These disorders can significantly impact a woman’s well-being and her child’s development. Risk factors include a history of mental health issues, relationship problems, lack of social support, and ongoing stress. Screening for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mania during pregnancy and the postpartum period is essential for early intervention and effective management.

Courtesy of National Library of Medicine

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• Perinatal counseling offers emotional support and treatment for individuals and couples facing challenges related to pregnancy and parenting. It addresses issues such as perinatal mood or anxiety disorders (including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as grief from infertility or perinatal loss.

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Courtesy of Holistic Wellness Practice