How Partners Can Support Perinatal Mental Health
It’s common for expectant and new parents to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or socially isolated. So, if you or your partner are feeling this way, you’re not alone. In fact, far from it – one in five women develop perinatal mental health problems, such as perinatal mood disorder, postnatal depression, or postpartum psychosis.1 And mothers aren’t the only ones – fathers are also more likely to develop mental health difficulties like anxiety in the perinatal period.2
Fortunately, there are lots of support options available, including supporting each other during this testing (but beautiful) time. In this article we will take a look at perinatal mental health and partner involvement and why support from your partner is crucial during the perinatal period. We’ll cover:
What is perinatal mental health?- Why partner support is important during the perinatal period
- How partners can recognize the signs of perinatal mental health difficulties
- Mental health resources for partners of pregnant women
- FAQs on partner mental health support during the perinatal period
Let’s get started!
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health disorders are ranked as the number one complication of giving birth, so know that it’s very normal to be struggling during this period of life. Some of the most common mental health disorders to face in the perinatal period are:
Perinatal Depression: Typically involves feeling sad, exhausted, or numb, which can make it difficult to care for yourself and others.- Perinatal Anxiety: Tends to include feeling constantly on edge or worried. It may also involve panic attacks or coincide with perinatal depression.
- Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive, repetitive thoughts are generally what you experience when you’re struggling with perinatal OCD. These obsessive thoughts tend to lead to compulsions, which involve acting in ways to alleviate the worries.
- Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Perinatal PTSD may involve having flashbacks or nightmares of a traumatic experience (either related or prior to your pregnancy or the birth).
- Perinatal Bipolar Mood Disorders: Often characterized by highs and lows – periods of depression followed by manic episodes, which tend to be periods of intense elation.
- Perinatal or Postpartum Psychosis: Typically involves having thoughts or beliefs or hearing or seeing things that aren’t there.
A number of factors may influence our mental health during the perinatal period, potentially making us more at risk of struggling with one of the conditions we explored above. These including:3
Hormonal changes- Stress and overwhelm of such a life-changing event
- Exhaustion
- Pregnancy anxiety
- Experiencing a traumatic birth
- Existing/ prior mental health struggles
- Feeling physically unwell
Experiencing a perinatal mental health difficulty can be incredibly isolating. Having supportive people around you, including a supportive partner, can make all the difference. But how?
Why Is Partner Support Important During The Perinatal Period?
If your partner is experiencing perinatal mental health struggles, you may notice some of the following common signs:
Low self esteem or self confidence- Serious anxiety about illness or health issues
- Frequent crying or long periods of feeling down, hopeless or negative
- Significant stress, overwhelm and exhaustion that causes problems with day-to-day life (including self-care and chores)
- Problems with bonding with the baby, including saying that they regret becoming a parent
- Saying phrases like ‘I feel like I’m drowning’ or ‘I can’t cope and want to run away’
- Not wanting to be left alone to look after the infant
Some of the signs of more serious perinatal mental health issue include:
Severe depression (persistent low mood, lack of interest in life, loss of libido)- Hallucinations
- Serious mood swings
- Paranoia
- Confusion
Anyone can experience perinatal mental health issues. It does not mean that you have failed as a parent or that you are a bad partner. In the USA, some factors may put you at a higher risk of developing poor perinatal mental health, such as a history of mental health issues, poverty, being a person of color or lack of a strong support network.
Ways To Provide Support For Perinatal Mental Health
Taking the time to listen and understand why they’re feeling this way. Taking a few minutes to listen without judging them can make someone feel less alone.6- Learn to communicate in healthy, empathic ways. Having a baby is an overwhelming and frightening experience. Research suggests that forms of partner support such as positive communication can actually protect the other partner’s mental health, including reducing the risk of perinatal depression.7
- Look after yourself mentally and physically. A holistic approach to self-care is beneficial during the perinatal period. Looking after ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally helps to build resilience and helps us to feel calmer and more positive.8 You can take care of your mental and physical health by considering your diet, staying hydrated and active, and using relaxation techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing.
Taking steps like these can help go a long way to giving your partner the support they need in the perinatal period. You can also check out the resources below.
Mental Health Resources for Partners of Pregnant Women
If you are supporting a partner with postpartum depression or another more serious mental health condition, in addition to looking after their wellbeing, it’s important to encourage them to seek professional help. A mental health professional will be able to assess what they need and offer treatment options. For example, therapy.
National and international organizations provide specific, tailored support for people in the perinatal period. These include:
- Postpartum Support International: An organization that aims to increase awareness about the emotional changes women experience during pregnancy and post-partum. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, PSI boasts members and volunteers all over the world who work hard to disseminate vital information and provide emotional support for pregnant women.
- Mind: A leading charity based in the UK that specialises in providing information and advice and works hard to reduce the stigma around mental health.
- Mental Health America: A non-profit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. Visit their website to take one of their online screening tests, find your local MHA service, read through their resources or explore treatment options.
At Mission Connection, we also offer personalized support to moms and dads who are struggling with their mental health. So, if you feel that you may also benefit from speaking to someone about your mental health, or think this would be the right choice for your partner, there are options available. You can get your journey towards better mental health started here.
You can also check out some of our other resources here:
Frequently Asked Questions About Partner Support for Perinatal Mental Health
What Are Practical Ways Partners Can Support Someone With Perinatal Mental Health Challenges?
Partners can support someone with perinatal mental health challenges by being present, showing up for them, and listening without judgement. It’s also important to ensure they are well rested and eating healthily, and taking steps to reduce their stress levels and give them space for time to recalibrate.
How Can Partners Take Care of Their Own Mental Health While Supporting Their Loved One?
Partners should ensure that they are practicing self-care such as getting enough sleep and eating regularly. It is also important to recognize the signs of overwhelm and burnout. Take a break when needed and reach out for help and support from family, friends, or a professional rather than letting things get on top of you.
How Can Partners Encourage Their Loved Ones to Seek Professional Help?
It’s important to approach conversations with your loved one about their mental health with kindness and without judgment. Let them know that you care about their well-being and that you want them to get help to improve their situation.
Choose the right time to encourage your partner to seek professional help for their mental health. For example, trying to tackle difficult subjects during a moment of great stress or upset will make it less likely that your partner will really hear you.
Mission Connection: Professional Partner Support for Perinatal Mental Health
At Mission Connection, we offer flexible, professional, comprehensive healthcare that is tailored to you. We listen to your needs, work with you to select the right therapy, and set realistic and achievable goals. Most importantly, we are there to support you when you need us the most.
Our compassionate and highly qualified experts can provide professional partner support for anyone experiencing perinatal mental health struggles. Our trained therapists offer a host of different options for treatment including therapy, resources and support groups, medication management, and 24/7 care.
We can provide professional partner support for perinatal mental health if you need someone to talk to. If you are supporting a partner through postpartum struggles, pregnancy anxiety, or any other mental health issue, you will find a wealth of helpful information on our website.
Alternatively, please consider contacting one of our friendly advisors right now to get your journey towards better mental health started today.
References
- Webb, R., Ayers, S., & Shakespeare, J. (2022). Improving accessing to perinatal mental health care. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 40(5), 435–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2022.2121993
- Chhabra, J., McDermott, B., & Li, W. (2020). Risk factors for paternal perinatal depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 21(4), 593–611. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000259
- Perinatal depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression#part_6551
- Stapleton, L. R. T., Schetter, C. D., Westling, E., Rini, C., Glynn, L. M., Hobel, C. J., & Sandman, C. A. (2012). Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(3), 453–463. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028332
- Ford, E., Roomi, H., Hugh, H., & Van Marwijk, H. (2019). Understanding barriers to women seeking and receiving help for perinatal mental health problems in UK general practice: development of a questionnaire. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 20. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1463423619000902
- Itzchakov, G., Weinstein, N., Saluk, D., & Amar, M. (2023). Connection Heals Wounds: Feeling Listened to Reduces Speakers’ Loneliness Following a Social Rejection Disclosure. Personality & social psychology bulletin, 49(8), 1273–1294. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221100369
- Pilkington, P., Milne, L., Cairns, K., & Whelan, T. (2016). Enhancing reciprocal partner support to prevent perinatal depression and anxiety: a Delphi consensus study. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0721-0
- Fava, G. A., & Guidi, J. (2020). The pursuit of euthymia. World Psychiatry, 19(1), 40–50. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20698
