Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal refers to the period from conception until 12 month postpartum.

• Baby Blues

Up to 85% of women may become tearful, irritable or hypersensitive in their interactions with others and their mood may be very labile. This is commonly known as the ‘baby blues’.

In most cases, baby blues occur within the first week after childbirth and resolve within seven - 10 days.

Most women will not require specific treatment apart from sensitive support and will recover in a few days.

• Perinatal Depression

Postnatal depression is best described as a depressive disorder with an onset in the first 12 months following childbirth.

Women with genetic vulnerability may be particularly at risk. Antenatal depression and past or family history of depression or anxiety disorders are the best predictors of future episodes of depression.

Other risk factors include: unplanned pregnancy, first pregnancy, indigenous background, poverty, stressful life events and lack of support.

According to DSM - IV criteria, at least five of the following symptoms are required for the diagnosis of major depression

• Depressed mood/irritability.
• Diminished interest in activities.
• Significant weight or appetite change.
• Sleeping problems e.g. insomnia or hypersomnia.
• Fatigue.
• Feelings of worthlessness/guilt.
• Inability to think clearly or concentrate.
• Recurrent thoughts of death and/or suicide.
• Psychomotor agitation and/or retardation.

Effects on Infant:
Infants are very sensitive to the quality of care they receive early in life.

Securely attached infants are more socially competent and can express a wide range of emotions, confident of a sensitive response from their mother.

Insecurely attached infants may avoid closeness or may be highly anxious, lacking confidence that their mother will be there for them.

Increasingly, research is finding a clear association between
severe maternal antenatal stress/anxiety, as well as depression,
on both foetal and later child development.