Understanding Maternal Mental Health
The period of time during pregnancy and up to 2 years after childbirth is called the perinatal period. While it is often an exciting time for a woman and her family, it can also be quite stressful and overwhelming. Maternal Mental Health or Perinatal Mental Health are interchangeable terms referring to the overall emotional, social, and mental wellbeing of a woman during this period.
Why Does Maternal Mental Health Matter?
Mental wellbeing is an important aspect of a woman's overall health. Good mental health is associated with better infant-parent bonding, child development, and overall wellbeing.
There are several factors that might impact a mother's mental wellbeing in the perinatal period. Although mental health conditions are treatable, millions of mothers around the world never receive a diagnosis or professional treatment for mental health conditions, particularly in low income settings. This treatment gap leads to unnecessary suffering, deepens inequalities, and prevents mothers, babies, and their families from reaching their highest potential.
At least 1 in 5 women experience perinatal mental health challenges globally. The prevalence is higher in lower income countries.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the perinatal period. It accounts for 20% of maternal deaths and this number is rising.
Despite the high prevalence of perinatal mental health conditions, as many as 75% or more mothers do not receive treatment.
How to recognize perinatal
mental health conditions
There are many different perinatal mental health conditions that a mother can experience, and they vary in severity. We also need to bear in mind that not all emotional changes are indicative of an underlying mental health condition. Many mothers experience the "Baby Blues" - emotional changes that last about two weeks after delivery and aren't harmful. It is important to contact a healthcare professional if these emotional changes persist and you are unsure or concerned about yours or a loved one's wellbeing.
The most common conditions are Postpartum Depression, which is characterized by prolonged periods of sadness and loss of pleasure in life, and Postpartum anxiety, which is characterized by feelings of restlessness and stress. When these conditions go untreated, they may develop into more serious conditions such as Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Postpartum Psychosis (PPP).
Although any mother can experience mental health challenges, there are certain circumstances that may increase the likelihood. As with other mental health conditions, a familial history of mental health can be a risk factor. Notably, experiencing a difficult or traumatic birth can cause both physical and mental health challenges. Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, stigmatization, and intimate part of violence can also play a role. Additionally, environmental factors such as climate-related displacement or natural disasters, and political factors such as war and civil unrest may cause distress and make mothers more vulnerable to mental health conditions.
Although every mother's experience is different, there are some common signs that we can look out for. Being able to recognize them allows us to provide support or recommend professional treatment to a mother in need.
Prolonged feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness.
Heightened feelings of anxiety, irritability, and restlessness.
Difficulty falling and staying asleep, leading to more distress.
Social withdrawal or a loss of interest in activities that one previously enjoyed.
The thought or act of harming oneself or one's baby, including suicidal ideation.
Treatment and Support
There are different types of treatment that can provide relief for mothers and their families. Some people will feel the pressure to “get better” quickly but mental health is a lifelong aspect of our wellbeing, just like our physical health. Learning how to care for our mental health could provide the resilience we all need to deal with the ups and downs of life.
Seeing a professional should always be prioritized when there are concerns about a mother’s mental health. A medical professional may recommend medication, talking therapy, lifestyle changes such as exercise and halthy diets, or other interventions as needed.
Beyond medical intervention, community support can go a long way. For example, offering to babysit can give a mother the chance to sleep, which can decrease her stress and anxiety. This act of kindness can also reduce the financial overwhelm that often accompanies parenthood.
Whenever we are reaching out to someone in need, kindness, patience, and compassion are important. One of the things holding mothers back from asking for support is the stigma or shame surrounding mental health. As this could be a sensitive topic, we should be careful not to use language that makes someone feel dehumanized.