When a child is born, much focus shifts to the baby's health.

And while a baby’s well-being is incredibly important, the health of the birthing person often fades into the background of priorities. In many cases, the birthing parent is cleaned up, checked for tearing, and cleared to go home with a peri bottle and a few pads to spare.

But what some medical communities have failed to recognize is that maternal health stretches far beyond the physical throes of birth. Their mental health matters, too.

What is Perinatal Mental Health?

Perinatal mental health refers to a birthing parent’s health throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods. As many as one in five birthing parents will experience a mental health or substance abuse disorder during those time periods, and suicide accounts for 20 percent of postpartum deaths with these illnesses. Circumstances such as marital stress, financial difficulties, or grief may exacerbate symptoms, but perinatal mood disorders can develop with or without added life stressors.

Despite how common perinatal mood disorders are, they are not part of a normal pregnancy or postpartum experience. At Magnolia Birth House, we recognize this. We will never brush off your concerns, and our midwives are trained to not only validate your feelings, but also connect you with the resources you need to get help.

If you develop any of the following symptoms during your pregnancy or following childbirth, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or another healthcare provider, such as a perinatal mental health clinic:

• Intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability or rage

• Sleep problems, like sleeping too much or feeling “too wired” to sleep, even when your baby is sleeping

• Intrusive, unwanted thoughts and worries of “what if” scenarios

• Loss of appetite or weight loss

• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

• Excessive worry over your baby’s health and safety

• Feeling “not good enough” or inadequate to care for yourself and/or your baby

• Thoughts of wanting to harm yourself or your baby

• Hallucinations

• Frequent headaches, heart palpitations, numbness, or hyperventilation/panic attacks (These could be signs of other medical issues, so seek help immediately.)

“Our line of communication is always open, and you will never be alone. It takes a village. Parenthood is a journey not meant to be traveled alone. It’s essential to find community and connection during pregnancy and after birth.”

Why is Perinatal Mental Wellness Important?

Perinatal mental wellness is crucial in ensuring the health and well-being of both the birthing parent and the baby. If you are pregnant or have just given birth and are suffering from symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder, it’s much more difficult to care for yourself and another tiny, growing human.

Symptoms of a pregnancy-related mood disorder, postpartum depression, or postpartum anxiety can begin at any time during pregnancy or postpartum period. They will last longer than two weeks, and are far more intense than the “baby blues” period of hormonal adjustment following birth.

Perinatal mood disorders can have a significant impact on the birth parent, infant, and family, so it’s important to seek help quickly.

Who Does Perinatal Mental Illness Affect?

Perinatal mental illness can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, or income status. However, data suggests perinatal mental health disorders are more common in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among populations with existing economic and/or racial disparities. This means you may have a higher chance of experiencing depression, anxiety, or another mental health illness while pregnant or postpartum if you are of a non-white race or in a low-income household.

Other risk factors for developing postpartum depression, anxiety, or another perinatal mood disorder are:

• A personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or postpartum depression

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD or PMS)

• Inadequate support in caring for your baby

• Financial stress

• Marital stress

• A major recent life event: loss, house move, job loss

• A history of having gone through infertility treatments

Barriers to Seeking Perinatal Mental Health Care

Very few birthing parents speak up or seek help when they experience symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder. There are a number of reasons it may feel difficult to seek help. They include:

• Physical barriers: If a birthing parent is recovering from birth, caring for an infant on their own, or has no means of transportation or communication, it may feel impossible to get necessary help.

• Systemic health barriers: If your medical facility or place of birth does not have a perinatal mental health clinic to address or navigate mood disorders during pregnancy or postpartum, the illness can go undiagnosed and/or untreated.

• Social and cultural barriers: In some cultures or social circles, there’s an unfortunate stigma tied to mental health illnesses, especially when you become a parent. If you live in a family or culture with a “suck it up” mindset in regards to mental health challenges, reaching out for help can bring about feelings of shame or inadequacy.

It’s unfortunate because so many treatments exist. We’ve connected many birthing parents who are struggling with perinatal mental health clinics, where they benefit from talk therapy, group counseling, and/or medication. Sometimes the deciding factor between staying sick or feeling better is a phone call to your midwife or healthcare provider — and healing is often attainable on the other side.

Supports Parents’ Perinatal Mental Health at Magnolia

The right kind of support can be the difference between a blissful pregnancy and postpartum experience and a lonely, difficult one. At Magnolia, we pride ourselves on our midwifery model of care from prenatal visits, labor and birth, and beyond. Our postpartum care for both birthing folks and babies includes four postpartum visits. We’ll address lactation challenges, vitals for both the baby and the recovering parent, and screen continuously for a developing postpartum mood disorder such as anxiety or depression.

Our line of communication is always open, and you will never be alone. It takes a village. Parenthood is a journey not meant to be traveled alone. It’s essential to find community and connection during pregnancy and after birth.

Our sister company, The Gathering Place, hosts virtual support groups for postpartum parents. Called “Footsteps,” our group meetings are held weekly and facilitated by a trained therapist. Babies are welcome, and we’d love to be there for solidarity, connection, and empowerment during this magical, challenging time in your life.

Learn more about our virtual group and join us.

Miami’s Premier Natural Birthing Center - Perinatal Mental Health Support in Miami

If you need perinatal mental health care, or if you have any questions, please feel free to email info@magnoliabirthhouse.com or call 786-613-4517 to connect with our team and learn more. We look forward to providing you with an empowered, supported, and joyful birth experience.