Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Support

This means that 14-20% of women experience perinatal depression. 

This means that 10% of new fathers experience postpartum depression.

Baby blues are a normal experience, not a psychological or psychiatric disorder. Not a mild form of depression but still something very important to be aware of and seek support for, if needed. 

Occurs due to the hormone fluctuation at the time of the birth and acute sleep deprivation. 

Lasts between 2 days to 2 weeks. If lasting longer than 2 weeks, is not baby blues but potentially Perinatal Depression or another Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder. Please seek help and support.  

Usually peaks between 3-5 days after delivery. 

Symptoms: tearfulness, lability, reactivity, exhaustion. Does not include suicidal thinking. 

Pregnancy: Mood is labile, teary, self-esteem is unchanged, no suicidal thoughts, energy may be low/tired, can sleep but may wake up due to bladder or heartburn, experience joy and anticipation as well as some worry, appetite increase.

Depression: mood is gloomy, irritable, agitated, rage, low self-esteem, guilt, difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, may have suicidal thoughts, plans, or intentions, energy does not restore after rest, feel fatigued, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), dysregulation of appetite. 

Overwhelmed, "I feel like I cannot cope." 

Lack of feelings of connection towards baby.

Inability to take care of oneself or family. 

Feeling isolated or socially withdrawn. 

Agitation, irritability.

Unable to experience pleasure or joy. 

"This doesn't feel like me." "I just don't feel like myself."

 Increased somatic symptoms such as headaches, back pain, GI issues etc.

15.8% experience prenatal anxiety as well.

4.1-16% of fathers experience prenatal anxiety as well.

Excessive worry, often about one's health or baby's health.

Difficulty controlling worry (persistent thoughts, rumination).

Agitation, irritability. 

Restlessness, feeling on edge, unable to relax or sit still.

Poor concentration. 

Easily fatigued, difficulties with sleep. 

Increased somatic symptoms such as headaches, back pain, GI issues.

Intrusive (unwanted), repetitive thoughts, urges, or impulses - usually about harm coming to baby but can be related to other concerns. 

Common types of thoughts: deliberate harm to baby, contamination (e.g. didn't clean bottle out properly, detergent from soap in clothing, accidental harm to baby (e.g. what if I drop the baby, or hurt the baby in some way), ordering/arranging things (e.g. bottles must be arranged just so), religious (e.g. baby is a demon), checking (e.g. checking if the baby is okay, breathing, more than what is healthy.)

"What if" thinking. 

Intense shame and guilt. 

Horrified by these thoughts. Thoughts or impulses are experienced as distressing, unwanted, unacceptable, or inconsistent with one's self-concept.

Engaging in behaviours to avoid harm or minimize triggers. 

Hypervigilance. 

OCD: parent recognizes thoughts or urges are unhealthy, experiences extreme anxiety about thoughts or urges, overly concerned about being or becoming "crazy" or "snapping."

Psychosis: parent does not recognize thoughts/actions are unhealthy, may have less anxiety about thoughts or behaviours, may have delusional beliefs about the baby (e.g. baby is a demon, baby is a baby doll), does not have insight about the distortion of thoughts (meaning they may think their thoughts or urges are reasonable). 

Average prevalence of prenatal PTSD is 3.3% of parents.

An event occurring during the labor and/or birth process that can involve actual or threatened serious injury or death to the mother or her infant. 

An event occurring during the labor and/or birth process wherein then woman is stripped of her dignity. 

Witnessing the traumatic event (e.g. witnessing parent's traumatic birth process).

Examples: Emergency C-section, postpartum hemorrhage, prematurity or stillbirth, unexpected NICU admission, forceps or vacuum extraction, severe pre-ecplampsia, 3rd or 4th degree laceration, Hypermesis Gravidarum, traumatic vaginal birth, fetal anomaly diagnosis in pregnancy, witnessing partner's birth experience, shoulder dystocia, long labor process, failed pain medications or poor response to anesthesia. 

Avoidance of postpartum care. 

Impaired parental-infant bonding.

Sexual dysfunction or distress related to sexual acts.

Avoidance of future pregnancies. 

Difficulties with breastfeeding. 

Yearly anniversary of traumatic birth.

41.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women. 

28.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for American Indian or Alaska Native.

13.4  deaths per 100,000 live births for white women. 

Statistics are based on the Center of Disease Control (CDC) for 2014-2017.

Only 1-2 in 1,000 women will develop Perinatal Psychosis.

First baby, discontinuation of mood stabilizer, obstetric complications, perinatal or neonatal loss, previous bipolar episodes, psychosis or postpartum psychosis, family history of bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis, sleep deprivation.

Bipolar Disorder is a significant risk factor for Perinatal Psychosis, which occurs in 20% to 30% of women with Bipolar Disorder. If you are pregnant and have Bipolar Disorder it can be very helpful to have a mental health professional support you through your pregnancy and postpartum care. 

Poor concentration or disorientation.

Agitated, hyperactivity, emotionally distant, aloof, lack of self-care.

Mood is elated, labile, dysphoric or depressed.

Speech can be rambling, tangential, or nonsensical. 

With adequate treatment, nearly all individuals experiencing postpartum psychosis achieve full remission and then majority achieve good functional recovery. 

If you believe you or someone you know may be experiencing Perinatal Psychosis please seek professional help right away.