Perinatal mental health difficulties are psychological and emotional problems that occur during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. Common presentations include perinatal depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), tokophobia (fear of childbirth), and postpartum psychosis. These difficulties can affect a parent’s emotional wellbeing, relationships, daily functioning, and adjustment to pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Perinatal mental health problems arise from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, and can have significant consequences for both parents and infants if left untreated. Evidence-based psychological treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion focused therapy (CFT), and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), are effective interventions for many perinatal mental health difficulties and can help parents navigate the challenges of the perinatal period.
