Mental health conditions like depression don’t just disappear with a positive pregnancy test. In fact, the hormonal and physical changes that come with pregnancy can make symptoms worse. For women with pre-existing mental health challenges, learning how to care for both their body and mind is the key to a healthy journey into motherhood.
Managing mental health during pregnancy isn’t just about the mom’s well-being – it’s about your baby’s health, too. Some studies show that untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy can heighten the risk of complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and brain development issues.[1]
However, lots of women aren’t sure what to do about their pre-existing diagnoses during pregnancy, especially if it involves treatment such as medication. You’ve probably heard people tell you to avoid medications during pregnancy, but what if you really need them?
We’re here to provide clear information about mental health care for pregnant women with pre-existing conditions. Below, you’ll discover:
- What pre-existing conditions are
- How to manage pre-existing conditions during pregnancy
- What safe treatments are available for pregnant people
- The importance of early intervention and support networks
Whether you live with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, know that help is available. People with mental health challenges become parents every day. With the right care, it’s possible to have a healthy pregnancy.
Pre-Existing Mental Health Disorders and Pregnancy
Having a pre-existing mental health condition means that you’ve had the condition since before the pregnancy started. For instance, you might have been managing depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or another challenge, long before you found out you were pregnant.
How Common are Mental Health Challenges in Pregnancy?
Mental health disorders are actually really common in pregnancy, with one in five perinatal people – meaning those who are pregnant or have given birth less than a year ago – being affected.
In the general population, one in four adult women experience a mental illness. When you look at younger adults, aged between 18 and 25 years, more than one in three have a mental health condition.
But what does this mean? The bottom line is that pre-existing mental health challenges are very common. So, if you’re pregnant and have a pre-existing mental health condition, know that you’re not alone.
What Challenges Do Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions Cause in Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can cause hormonal shifts, physical changes, sleep disruption, and stress, and this can trigger all sorts of physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Mental health conditions can actually appear for the first time during pregnancy – often called perinatal mental health conditions – and disorders that were previously under control can suddenly feel unmanageable.
There are also links between mental health conditions and increased risks during pregnancy such as miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth. As such, it’s so important for the health of both you and your unborn child to focus on your mental as well as your physical well-being when you are pregnant.
Importance of Mental Health Care During Pregnancy
Most people wouldn’t mention pre-existing mental health disorders and pregnancy in the same sentence, but they often go together. Mental health challenges are common in adults, and with the right treatment and support, they can be managed well.
Knowing that mental health affects not only expectant moms and their well-being but also their baby’s means that getting treatment for a mental health condition is essential. Also, having a history of anxiety or mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or anxiety makes you up to 35% more likely to have postpartum problems such as postpartum depression.[2] So, if possible, it’s worth getting a pre-existing condition under control before the postpartum period.
Thankfully, mental health care for pregnant women with pre-existing conditions is widely available. There’s medication, therapy, support groups, and holistic approaches as well. We shall explore these soon, but first let’s look at some of the most common pre-existing mental illness and pregnancy combinations, and some ways to manage them.
Managing Specific Mental Health Conditions
If you’re wondering how to manage pre-existing mental health disorders and pregnancy, you’re in the right place. We’re going to take a whistle-stop tour of the most common issues people face before diving deeper into the treatment options available.
Pregnancy and Pre-Existing Depression
If you’re pregnant, you may discover your pre-existing depression symptoms get worse. Your mood might drop and sleep problems may sneak up on you. You may also struggle to concentrate and your energy might feel practically nonexistent. Noticing these signs is the first step to coping with depression during pregnancy.
There are various available, including antidepressants, talk therapy, and support groups. There are also lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your symptoms. Holistic activities like incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine can reduce symptoms of depression. Certain diets are linked with lower levels of depression, and so is exercise.[3][4][5] The main thing is finding a treatment approach that works for you.
Managing Pre-Existing Anxiety in Pregnancy
If you sense your anxiety levels creeping up during pregnancy, know that you’re not alone. You may feel on edge, have worries running endlessly through your mind, or notice your appetite changing. These are all symptoms of perinatal anxiety.
Research has shown that perinatal anxiety can impact a child growing up, contributing to issues like learning difficulties, behavior disorders, and a higher risk of experiencing anxiety or depression.[6] That’s why it’s important to seek support when you experience anxiety during pregnancy.
Anxiety treatment for pregnant women can be really effective. Mindfulness practices, medications, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have all been shown to reduce perinatal anxiety symptoms.[7]
Managing Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and have bipolar disorder, managing your condition will likely be a balance of medication management, lifestyle adjustments, and good support systems. You might be able to keep taking your usual medication. However, the impact of meds on your developing baby will be carefully considered by your doctor. This is to ensure the best outcome for both mother and child.
The best thing you can do is work with your healthcare providers and OB-GYN to get the best and safest treatment possible. This might include medication and talking therapy for symptom management, or lifestyle changes. There are also certain risks associated with pregnancy and bipolar disorder, such as postpartum psychosis.11 This is why prioritizing your mental health is so vital.
Mental Health Treatment During Pregnancy
Treating mental health issues during pregnancy is crucial, both for the mom and the baby. Yet many people don’t seek help. Pregnancy and managing conditions like anxiety or bipolar disorder aren’t talked about as openly as they could be. We all have mental health. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’ve not done anything wrong by experiencing mental health challenges. It’s an illness, and it can be treated.
There are many safe treatments for pre-existing mental health conditions. And like any health issue, it’s best to have a treatment plan created especially for you, taking into account your circumstances and preferences. Your plan may include medication, therapy, self-care, support groups, or a combination of these. Let’s look at each of these and how they can help you manage pre-existing mental health disorders and pregnancy.
Therapy for Mental Health During Pregnancy
Therapy is very effective for many people, and can treat a range of mental health conditions. Therapy, especially CBT, can be powerful for treating anxiety disorders, depression, and OCD.[8][9]
Talking therapy is a safe treatment and doesn’t come with the side effects you may get from medications. It can help you understand your condition and lets you make changes that can positively impact your thoughts and feelings. You also learn coping strategies to manage your symptoms; ones that work specifically for you.
Medication Options for Mental Health During Pregnancy
Depending on your condition, medication may be a treatment option for you. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to help people cope with symptoms of depression or anxiety. They can lift your mood and make you feel calmer. If you live with bipolar disorder, you may be prescribed a mood stabilizer to help manage your symptoms.
If you already take medication and discover you are pregnant, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your medication. There are some low risks to your baby associated with taking certain medications during pregnancy, but there are also risks to both you and your unborn child from not getting treatment for mental health issues.
Discussing your medication use with your OB-GYN or a mental health professional is a great way to find out your options. If you’re not sure how to bring up the topic, you can check out our guide on talking to your OB-GYN about mental health.
Support Groups
Support groups give you the chance to connect with other people in similar situations to yourself. They can be a great source of emotional support, as well as having the potential to receive tips and advice from other people on how they deal with their challenges. Most importantly, when you are surrounded by people who live with similar experiences to yourself, you are reminded that you aren’t alone on this journey.
Self-Care
While you’re receiving mental health treatment, you can feel the benefits even further by looking after yourself at home, too. Self-care can have a massive impact on your overall well-being. It’s not just about bubble baths, although these can be very relaxing which is good for you.
Pregnancy cravings aside, eating a well-balanced diet, getting some regular gentle exercise, and practicing relaxation or mindfulness can all help with reducing stress.[3][4][10] And let’s face it: You don’t need any extra stress right now, do you?
Creating Your Pregnancy Support System
Pregnancy and motherhood were never meant to be journeys traveled alone. Many people find it helpful to build up their support system, especially if dealing with pre-existing mental health disorders and pregnancy at the same time.
A support system or support network is like a safety net while you’re expecting a baby. It’s a group of people that you can turn to for guidance and help. They can give you emotional support, offer practical help, and give you advice.
Who do you have in your support network? If you’re not sure, here are some ideas of people who may be able to provide the support you need:
- Your partner
- Family
- Friends
- Healthcare providers
- Support groups
- Prenatal classes
Pregnancy support for mental health disorders is available. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. People are usually happy to pitch in – they just may not know exactly what help you need unless you tell them. It’s never too late to reach out and connect to people or services.
At Mission Connection, we are experts at providing compassionate mental health services for expecting mothers. Whether you have just found out your happy news or are in your third trimester, we are here to help you through any mental health challenges that come your way. You can have a happy and healthy pregnancy, with the support you deserve.
Find Compassionate Perinatal Mental Health Care
Pregnancy is a time of enormous change and can bring joy as well as challenges. If you or someone you love is finding their mental health a struggle, you don’t have to face it alone. At Mission Connection, our team of experts offers compassionate perinatal mental health services to support your journey to motherhood. With treatment plans tailored to meet your specific needs, we offer everything from free downloadable resources to therapy, support groups, medication management, and 24/7 residential care.
Get in touch today to speak to one of our specialist advisors. We’re here to listen, and to help you. Click here to fill in our contact form, or call us to get support today.
References
- Wu, Y., De Asis-Cruz, J., & Limperopoulos, C. (2024). Brain structural and functional outcomes in the offspring of women experiencing psychological distress during pregnancy. Molecular Psychiatry, 29(7), 2223–2240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02449-0
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Baby blues and postpartum depression: mood disorders and pregnancy. Johns Hopkins Medicine. January 28. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/postpartum-mood-disorders-what-new-moms-need-to-know
- Mental Health America. (2025). Eating for well-being. Mental Health America. March 27. https://mhanational.org/resources/eating-well-being/
- Hofmann, S. G., & Gómez, A. F. (2017). Mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depression. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 739–749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.08.008
- Popov, S., Sokic, J., & Stupar, D. (2021). Activity matters: physical exercise and stress coping during the 2020 covid-19 state of emergency. Psihologija, 54(3), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.2298/psi200804002p
- Postpartum Support International (PSI). (n.d.). Perinatal mental health: signs, symptoms and treatment. PSI. Retrieved June 17. https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/
- Saila, M. et al. (2015). Perinatal generalized anxiety disorder: assessment and treatment. Journal of Women’s Health. September 21. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2014.5150
- Mental Health America. (2025). Postpartum anxiety. Mental Health America. May 7. https://mhanational.org/resources/postpartum-anxiety/
- American Psychiatric Association. (2024). What is are obsessive-compulsive and related disorders? American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
- Collier, S. (2021). Postpartum anxiety is invisible, but common and treatable. Harvard Health. July 30. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/postpartum-anxiety-an-invisible-disorder-that-can-affect-new-mothers-202107302558