Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of individuals from conception, through pregnancy, to the first year following childbirth. This area of health focuses on the prevention, identification, and treatment of mental health conditions that can arise or worsen during this time.
Feeling sad
No pleasure in experiences or activities that were once enjoyed
Lack of energy and motivation
Excessive worrying
Sleeping too much or too little
Eating too much or too little
Difficulty in concentrating
Difficulty in making decisions
Feelings of guilt and hopelessness
Feeling that something bad is going to happen
Non-specific body aches or pains
Feeling worthless
<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_green.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_green.svg" width="40px" /> Some symptoms may be more specific:
Postnatal Psychosis: In severe cases, women may experience hallucinations or psychosis, suicidal thoughts or severe depression. Women with these symptoms require more intensive interventions from service providers.
Perinatal mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, socioeconomic status, or background.
Women with bipolar affective disorder are at high risk (25-50%) of postpartum psychosis (a psychiatric emergency requiring urgent hospital admission) in the early perinatal period.
Women with a history of depression in pregnancy or the postnatal period have a very high risk of subsequent episodes (>60%) with future births. Severe mental illness itself is a risk factor for poorer obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_green.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_green.svg" width="40px" /> Women who already have mental health problems may find that their symptoms worsen during the perinatal period. Others may experience poor mental health for the first time during this period.
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Who else is at risk of a deterioration in mental health in the perinatal period?