Guide to Perinatal Mental Health: Educational Resources for Providers, Patients, and Families
Pregnancy and being a new parent can bring buckets of joy. But it can also present many challenges, some of which you may not have anticipated, but all of which can affect how you feel emotionally. If this is you, it may feel difficult to talk about, especially with the age-old expectations that you’re only supposed to feel ecstatic when you welcome a baby into the world.
But here’s the thing: Mental health doesn’t discriminate – anyone can be affected by it, including pregnant people and parents. It’s more common than people realize, with mental health disorders affecting one in five perinatal people.1 The good news is that early intervention for perinatal mental health can make a huge difference.
In this guide, we’ve got compassionate and practical perinatal mental health resources for everyone involved with pregnancy – moms and dads, mothers- and fathers-to-be, healthcare providers, and family members, too. So, whether you want to understand the most common mental health challenges, look into treatment options, or support someone you love, you’ve found the right place.
Understanding Perinatal Mood Disorders
Pregnancy and childbirth are times of celebration for families. However, they’re also times of vulnerability. You’re trying to find your feet in your new role, and if you’re pregnant or have just given birth, your hormones may be leading you to feel things you didn’t anticipate.
With any period of vulnerability comes an added risk of mental health difficulties, and pregnancy and post-birth are no exception. Certain mental health conditions, such as perinatal depression and anxiety, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder, can sneak up on you.
These conditions can have a huge impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health, including how you parent and feel about yourself. So, it’s important to be clued up on them, so you can understand what they are, how they may affect you, and the types of support that are out there for you.
Perinatal Depression
Perinatal depression can start during pregnancy (prenatal depression) or after giving birth (postnatal/postpartum depression). You might feel sad, anxious, and exhausted, making it difficult to carry out usual tasks like caring for yourself and others.2
Fortunately, you don’t have to manage this alone. There are treatment options and support available for people struggling with perinatal depression. We’ll look into these later on this page.
Perinatal Anxiety
Perinatal anxiety can leave you feeling constantly worried, on edge, unable to relax, with racing thoughts and feelings that something bad is going to happen. You may also have panic attacks, where you feel short of breath, have chest pain or heart palpitations, and feel dizzy in waves.3 You might have perinatal anxiety on its own, but it often comes along with perinatal depression.
Again, you can get help and treatment for anxiety, and there are many perinatal anxiety and depression resources freely available which we shall look at later.
Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Perinatal OCD means that you have intrusive, repetitive, unpleasant thoughts (obsessions) with the irrational urge to carry out certain actions or rituals (compulsions) to avoid something bad happening. Usually, these thoughts will be focused on the health and safety of your baby or the pregnancy, but they can also be around other things.3
Perinatal OCD can get in the way of your daily life and feel very frightening. If you think you may be experiencing perinatal OCD, know that you’re not alone. Up to as many as 16 in every 100 women experience it, and can be treated very effectively.4
Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you have a pregnancy complication, unplanned C-section, or traumatic experience during your pregnancy or while giving birth, you might experience perinatal PTSD. This typically involves having flashbacks or nightmares about what happened.3 Self-care, therapy, and medication can all be used to manage perinatal PTSD.
Perinatal Bipolar Mood Disorders
Bipolar disorders generally have two phases – the highs, and the lows. The lows are called depressive episodes, while the highs are called mania or manic episodes. Half of all women with bipolar disorder are first diagnosed with it during the postpartum period, so it’s common for this condition to reveal itself now.3
Bipolar disorders are very treatable and manageable. To understand more about these conditions, check out our page on “Perinatal Bipolar Depression.”
Perinatal or Postpartum Psychosis
Perinatal or postpartum psychosis is a serious condition that can begin after giving birth. You might have thoughts or beliefs that aren’t true, see or hear things that aren’t really there, feel paranoid, or be confused.2
If you feel like this, it is a serious situation that needs treatment immediately, so please call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room for help. Recovering from postpartum psychosis is totally possible as long as you get professional support.
Recognizing Perinatal Mental Health Issues
With 20-25% of women affected by perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), recognizing perinatal mental health issues is vital, not just for you but for your family, too.
Some of the most common indications of perinatal mood disorders are:1
- Feeling deep periods of sadness or depression
- Feeling extremely irritable or angry
- Having difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feeling excessively anxious or panicked
- Having problems eating
- Sleep issues
- Having upsetting thoughts
- Feeling “out of control” (not in the usual new parent sense, but an overwhelming sense that life feels out of control)
- Thinking you should never have become a mother/parent
- Worries that you might hurt yourself or your baby
If you recognize some of these, you may be struggling with a PMAD. However, it’s important to know that these aren’t the only signs. If you find yourself struggling, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your doctor to get some support. There are many perinatal mental health resources available for you, as well as treatments to help you get back to your old self again.
Mental Health Care During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Pregnancy and the months after giving birth are times of massive change. With hormonal and physical changes from being pregnant, as well as adjusting to a life-changing event – the birth of your child – you may feel a range of emotions, both positive and negative. Joy, sadness, fear, and many more feelings are all normal reactions to what you are going through.
However, if you are feeling sad, anxious, or overwhelmed more often than not, these may be signs of a mental health condition. As a mental health condition can affect both you and your family, including your baby, it’s important to seek support when necessary.
Mental health treatment for expecting mothers can include a variety of approaches. Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective at treating and managing stress, depression, and anxiety. You can also join support groups that allow you to connect with other people who are going through the same challenges as you, which can be a great source of emotional support. Medication may also be prescribed as part of a treatment plan if your doctor feels that is the best option for you.
While you’re utilizing these treatment approaches, it can be helpful to proactively take care of yourself at home, too. Self-care can be hugely beneficial for improving your overall well-being alongside other therapeutic approaches. There are lots of resources that we will share with you in the next section so that you can feel truly supported, even at home.
If you feel like you’re struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. Take a look at some of the perinatal mental health resources below, or contact your healthcare provider to get the treatment you deserve.
Perinatal Mental Health Resources for Patients
A perinatal mental health guide wouldn’t be complete without giving you resources to use in your own time. That is what this section is for: Mental health education for pregnant women and new moms.
We’ve got the most trusted organizations and hotlines, guides, apps, and more for you to check out below which we hope you will find useful for developing coping strategies for perinatal mental health.
Trusted National Organizations
- Mental Health America: The nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to mental health and well-being for all. Check out the resources they have on perinatal mental health.
- The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA): A non-profit organization providing information and advocacy about maternal mental health, including education, fact sheets, and resources for mothers, fathers, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and their families.
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): An organization providing information, resources, online support groups, and much more.
Mental Health Hotlines
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat online with them 24/7.
- National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for confidential support 24/7.
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call 833-852-6262 to talk to someone 24/7.
- PSI Helpline: Call or text 800-944-4773.
Apps and Digital Tools
- Connect: An app with access to Postpartum Support International (PSI) support, resources, and information. Learn more here.5
- Headspace: A popular app offering meditation, mindfulness, sleep, and stress exercises. They also have helpful courses on pregnancy and life after birth.
- Calm: Provides meditation exercises, sleep stories, soundscapes, and music playlists for relaxation and sleep. They also have helpful articles on becoming a parent and coping with mental health difficulties in this life stage.
Mission Connection Resources
Check out our selection of perinatal mental health resources on our website, including:
Resources for Providers on Perinatal Mental Health
If you recognize some of these, you may be struggling with a PMAD. However, it’s important to know that these aren’t the only signs. If you find yourself struggling, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your doctor to get some support. There are many perinatal mental health resources available for you, as well as treatments to help you get back to your old self again.
Clinical Tools and Guidance
- PSI: Contains a perinatal mental health professional website section, including screening recommendations and perinatal mental health programs.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Provides a complete perinatal mental health toolkit for you to use in your clinical practice.
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health: Offers clinical screening tools and guidance.
Training and Education
- maternal mental health certificate training for clinical professionals.
- PSI: Provides perinatal mental health webinars, certificate training, and coaching for professionals.
- MMHLA: Has a database for perinatal mental health training.
Mission Connection Resources
Our provider resources include:
- OBGYN referrals for perinatal mental health care
- What screening tools are used for perinatal mental health
Support for Families and Caregivers
Family support for perinatal mental health is so important for pregnant women and new mothers, but it can be difficult to know how to help. Here are some tips on supporting your loved one or partner through this challenging time:
- Communicate Honestly: Encourage open and honest communication about how they are feeling and what they are thinking.
- Listen: Really hear what they are saying when they are talking about their feelings and mental health.
- Offer Practical Help: Help out with everyday chores or meal prep to take some of the stress off them.
- Check for Signs: Recognizing perinatal mental health issues and symptoms is important, as they may not be aware of them. Learn what to look out for so that you can support them.
- Seek Support Together: If you think your loved one is struggling with their mental health, talk to them about it. Express your concerns, and encourage them to seek professional support from a doctor or mental health professional. You can help them to make appointments or go with them to appointments so that they are not alone.
Remember to take care of yourself too. Supporting someone going through perinatal mental health issues can be emotionally tough, and you can’t pour from an empty cup.
We’re Here to Support You
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Mission Connection, our professional team offers compassionate and expert perinatal mental health services that can be tailored to meet your unique needs. From resources and support groups to therapy, medication management, and even 24/7 care, we have you covered.
Explore our site to discover a range of perinatal mental health resources, or get in touch to speak to one of our friendly advisors today. Whether you’re looking for education, therapy, or a supportive space to begin your journey to mental well-being, we’re here to listen and to help you.
Click here to fill in our contact form, or call us to get started today.
References
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. (2025, April 28). About maternal mental health disorders. https://policycentermmh.org/mmh-disorders/
- National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Perinatal depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression
- Postpartum Support International. (2025, March 18). About perinatal mental health. https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/
- Mulcahy, M., Long, C., Morrow, T., Galbally, M., Rees, C., & Anderson, R. (2023). Consensus recommendations for the assessment and treatment of perinatal obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD): A Delphi study. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 26(3), 389–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01315-2
- Postpartum Support International. (2025, March 21). Postpartum Support International. https://postpartum.net/
