What Is Perinatal Depression? Signs, Symptoms & Managing Maternal Mental Health

According to the World Health Organization, about 10 per cent of pregnant women and 13 per cent of new mothers will experience a mental health disorder, the main one being depression. Without appropriate intervention, poor maternal mental health can have long-term and adverse implications for not just these women, but their children and families, too. In most cases, however, women simply aren’t aware of the help available or even that they might need it.

“Most of the time, they mistakenly think they are failing at parenting,” says Wendy Davis, executive director of Postpartum Support International (PSI). “They don’t realise they are going through a temporary, treatable experience that many others have gone through.”

So, what are the signs to look out for and what kind of support is available? To find out more and mark World Mental Health Awareness Month, Vogue speaks to a range of global mental health experts and women who have experienced perinatal depression.

What is perinatal depression?

“Perinatal depression is the experience of depression that begins during pregnancy [prenatal depression] or after the baby is born [postpartum depression]. Most people have heard of perinatal depression, but what’s equally common for mums to experience is perinatal anxiety either separately, or with depression,” explains Canadian therapist Kate Borsato. Perinatal depression does not discriminate. “Some people are surprised when I tell them that I experienced postpartum anxiety, because of my job as a therapist for mums. But mental illness doesn’t really care who you are or what you know.”

While anyone can experience it, there are some known risk factors that increase women’s chances of developing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. According to Australia-based social worker and founder of Mama Matters, Fiona Weaver, these include a “previous history of depression or anxiety, those who have limited support networks, have experienced birth or pregnancy trauma, infertility or who may be genetically predisposed to it.”

What are the signs and symptoms to look out for?

Symptoms differ for everyone, and may include feelings of anger, anxiety, fatigue, neglecting personal hygiene, health or surroundings, fear and/or guilt, lack of interest in the baby, change in appetite and sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating/making decisions, loss of enjoyment or enthusiasm for anything, and possible thoughts of harming the baby or oneself.