Did You Know?
Beyond Postpartum
Maternal mental health challenges often begin during pregnancy and are not limited to the postpartum period. Conditions like depression and anxiety can emerge well before childbirth.
Not Just Depression
Maternal mental health struggles can present in various forms beyond depression, including anxiety, panic attacks, intense anger, and sudden rage.
Fathers Too
Mental health challenges around the birth of a baby can impact fathers too. In fact, about 1 in 10 dads experience symptoms of depression and anxiety during this critical time.
If you notice any of these:
- Persistent sadness or feeling overwhelmed
- Anger or irritability
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Difficulty eating or sleeping
- Feelings of regret about becoming a parent
- Disturbing or intrusive thoughts
- Thoughts of harming yourself or others
If you begin to experience any changes in your mood that last longer than 7 days or that make it hard to function, please call your doctor. If you feel like you may harm yourself or someone else, call 1-1-2 or reach out to Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) on 08000787746.
Risk Factors
Certain things can make it more likely for a woman to experience a maternal mental health challenge. These are called risk factors, and they can include things like a history of mental health issues, lack of support, or stressful life events. It's important to know that having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll definitely face a mental health problem. It just means there’s a higher chance of developing depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after having a baby