The Importance of Taking Perinatal Mental Health Seriously

Taking perinatal mental health seriously is important because it can have a tremendous impact on both the mother and the baby. One of the most important aspects of perinatal mental health is ensuring that mothers are not struggling with postpartum depression, which can be brought about by fear of what the future holds. What is Perinatal Mental Health? There is no single definition of perinatal mental health, and the term can be used to describe a range of psychological conditions that can affect pregnant women and their babies. Perinatal mental health refers to the mental health of a pregnant woman and her baby from conception until the child’s first birthday. It includes maternal and paternal mental health and the mental health of families and caregivers involved in a pregnant woman’s care. Many factors can impact perinatal mental health, including: - Trauma and stress in the mother’s life before, during, and after pregnancy - Relationship problems with partners, fam...