Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Mental Health during Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy and postpartum are complex periods of a woman's life. Physically, it is a time that can come with intense discomfort and health risks/complications for mother. It is also filled with wondrous experiences related to forming and nourishing a new life. The hormonal shifts of pregnancy affect women in diverse ways, bringing positive feelings and symptom relief to some, exacerbating negative emotions and physical symptoms in others. Emotionally, it is an intense time. Many women look forward to pregnancy and motherhood for much of their lives. This can lead to high expectations for this period which can trigger distress if the mother isn't feeling or performing at a level that meets those expectations. Pregnancy can impact our primary relationships. While we often think of pregnancy as a time of closeness with our partners, pregnancy and postpartum can strain our primary relationships. Strained relationships can put mothers at increased risk for PMADs. Because of this complex mix of physical, hormonal, emotional and relational changes, It is important that every woman form a plan for maintaining good mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.
Dear New Mother (an Open Letter About Postpartum Mental Health)
Click here for some information that all new mothers should know about the most common postpartum health complication.
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Creating a Perinatal MH Plan
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of postpartum depression and anxiety. Click here to learn more about how to plan for a good postpartum period.
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Medications & PregnancyResources related to medications during the perinatal period can be found here.
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The Shoulds of MotherhoodMothers are more likely than most to hold themselves to too high of standards. Click here for more.
The experience of PMAD: Blog Entries by Mothers |
Lactation & Mental Health |