Better Mental Health Support Is Needed for Pregnant Mothers

A new study found that 20% of mothers struggle with their mental health while pregnant, including symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Further, many lack adequate support

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Better Mental Health Support Is Needed for Pregnant Mothers  Bringing new life into the world is incredibly powerful and deeply fulfilling for many. At the same time, pregnancy can also take a toll on a person's overall well-being. A recent study shines light on the lack of attention given to mothers' mental health during pregnancy, a vitally important topic that impacts the entire family including parents, children, and the infant.   The study found that 20% of mothers struggle with their mental health while pregnant, including symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Further, many lack adequate support—or don't know how to find it—to help them during this emotionally taxing and vulnerable time. Barriers include not knowing care exists, embarrassment or shame about their struggles, lack of local services, no transportation, and financial strain.   Prior research shows that when women struggle with their mental health during pregnancy, it can affect their baby. Specifically, it may impact the infant's neurological development and fetal heart rate. Research also tells us that prenatal stress and depression can result in socioemotional development issues and behavioral issues in children. Pregnancy impacts the woman's entire being. Early and appropriate access to mental health services can significantly reduce the negative health impacts for both mother and infant."  — GWENNETH SIMMONS, PHD, CNM  What This Means For You Recognizing and treating prenatal depression (antepartum depression), stress, and anxiety is beneficial for mom and baby alike. If you're pregnant and struggling with your mental health, know that you are not alone in your experience.   There's so much strength in reaching out to someone else for care, be it your partner, a family member, friends, other moms, your OBGYN, or a therapist. Your decision to seek help is a brave one that's beneficial to you, your child, and your family. On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us The Mom & Mind Podcast is hosted by Dr. Kat, a psychologist and specialist in perinatal mental health. Each week, she features interviews with everyday parents and experts to help listeners learn how to cope, manage, and recover from pregnancy-related mood and anxiety disorders. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Whether you've yet to experience pregnancy, are carrying your first, or have been through the ropes before, pick up a copy of "Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood and Trusting Yourself and Your Body." Author Erica Chidi Cohen covers everything from early pregnancy to those first months at home together with your child. If you like to journal, "The Pregnancy Workbook" by Katayune Kaeni is an excellent addition to your routine during pregnancy. The pages are filled with techniques and coping strategies to ease your anxiety and helps you feel more guided and supported. If you or someone you know is looking to read up the experience of pregnancy, here are the best books to guide parents-to-be during those wild nine months. Read These Next Parents With Pre and Postpartum Depression May Pass that Depression on to Their Kids READ NOW Symptoms of Loneliness and Depression During Pregnancy READ NOW What Causes Antepartum Depression? READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy