Your HEALTHPre/Postpartum Mental Health
Experiencing pregnancy, birth, and parenthood can be a very happy and exciting time in your life, but it can also be a time of change, mixed emotions, and stress. You may find that your mood changes - from excitement to being happy or sad - very often.
Perinatal mental health refers to your emotional health and wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year after your baby is born.
Baby Blues
Within 3-5 days after birth, you may experience temporary emotional distress called the Baby Blues. Symptoms may include crying spells, sadness, irritability, fatigue and frustration. This is normal and is experienced by 4 out of 5 women as they adjust to their new role. This stage will pass in a few days to a few weeks.
These feelings normally go away on their own. If these feelings last longer than two weeks, you should contact a health care provider.
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth are often referred to as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). While the cause of PMAD's is not fully known, it can happen to about 10-20% of birthing individuals and is also common among parenting partners.
Persons experiencing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders may:
- Feel sad, lonely, and hopeless
- Feel overwhelmed and can't concentrate
- Feel restless, irritable or angry
- Cry frequently
- Have trouble sleeping
- May feel guilt or shame
- Feel anxious or can't stop worrying
- Feel exhausted but unable to sleep
- Experience a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Have changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Have thoughts of hurting yourself or others
If you have experienced any of these symptoms for two weeks or longer you should visit your health care provider to get help. A perinatal mood and anxiety disorder is a medical condition that requires assessment and treatment.
If you feel like harming yourself or your baby get help right away:
- Contact 911
- Visit your local hospital
- Call/text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline
CK Public Health currently offers a One Day at A Time perinatal mental health group for mothers , up to one year postpartum, who are experiencing maternal mental health challenges. It involves weekly meetings in a closed support group facilitated by Public Health Nurses.
Partner Support
It may be very challenging to see your partner react to becoming a parent. You can support your partner by:
- Listening and accepting their feelings and thoughts without judgement
- Taking care of the baby while they rest
- Helping them reach out for professional support and treatment they need