Perinatal Mental Health

What is perinatal mental health?

The term reproductive mental health is often used to refer to mental health challenges that start, worsen, or are impacted by reproductive events across the lifespan. This includes, for example, menstrual-related, perinatal, and perimenopausal concerns.

You can think of perinatal mental health as one branch of reproductive health. When you think of perinatal mental health concerns, what comes to mind? For most people, postpartum depression– and, maybe, postpartum anxiety. While these are common concerns, the perinatal mental health actually encompasses a wide range of symptoms and concerns.

First, let’s take a look at the term perinatal. The most broad definitions actually include:

• Pre-conception: This refers to the period of time prior to pregnancy. It can include things like family planning, fertility, and infertility-related care (e.g., IVF, IUI).

• Pregnancy (Antenatal): This refers to the time between conception and childbirth.

• Postpartum (Postnatal): Definitions actually vary quite a bit, but many consider this to include the first 1-3 years after a child is born.

Across these contexts, people can experience a significant amount of change– in their daily lives, identity, body, relationships, and more. This can bring with it anticipated and unexpected stressors– such as infertility, miscarriage, medical complications, and negative healthcare or birthing experiences. With this in mind, different types of mental health concerns can present:

• Perinatal Depression (PPD)

• Perinatal Anxiety (PPA)

• Perinatal OCD (POCD)

• Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (P-PTSD)

• Perinatal/Postpartum Psychosis (PPP)

• Perinatal Bipolar Disorder

• Perinatal Grief & Loss

For more information on the symptoms, risk factors, and recommended treatments across each of these concerns, check out this resource page by Postpartum Support International.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments are interventions that are backed by science. The therapies with the most research support for perinatal mood & anxiety disorders include:

• Perinatal Depression & Anxiety:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

• Perinatal OCD:

  • Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

• Perinatal PTSD:

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Other Treatments with Research Support:

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Behavioral Activation (BA)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

As perinatal mental health includes a broad range of symptoms and experiences, recommendations can vary based on the client’s specific concerns and preferences

Relevant Readings

Check out our bookshelf on Perinatal Mental Health.

Advocacy & Education

• Postpartum Support International (PSI)

  • Find specialized resources by topic

• Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA)

Find a Provider

I know how important it is to find the right provider.

I often work with people experience emotional distress, trauma, or grief in reproductive contexts, including the perinatal period. If you think we might be a good fit, learn more about me and my practice, or get in touch to schedule a free, 15-minute consult call.

Looking for something else? There are many ways to find a provider. These directories can help locate providers who focus on perinatal mental health and meet different criteria (e.g., insurance, location, therapies offered):

• PS-WA: Provider Directory

• PSI: Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory