Pregnancy and new motherhood are profound life transitions that can affect you physically and emotionally. Sometimes these changes impact your mental health.

Maternal mental health conditions may occur anytime during the perinatal period, including pregnancy (prenatal) and up to a year after childbirth (postpartum). This is the most common complication to pregnancy and affects up to 1 in 5 women, regardless of race, culture, or income.

Types of maternal mental health conditions include:

• Prenatal and postpartum depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Postpartum psychosis

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing changes to your mental health. In fact, every new mom is at risk. Half of people who experience a maternal mental health condition have no prior history of a mental health concern.

Hormonal change is the most common cause of maternal mental health conditions. Our endocrine system is made of glands that make and release hormones. Hormones are chemicals in our body that help regulate may systems including mood, metabolism, and fertility.

While hormonal changes are expected and needed in pregnancy, not everyone responds to these changes the same. You may be more sensitive to hormonal changes if you experience increased mood symptoms during menstruation or have been diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Sometimes hormonal changes related to pregnancy can cause a chemical imbalance. When our endocrine system is not functioning properly, we can experience medical conditions such as mood disorders, infertility, thyroid dysfunction, and diabetes.

Postpartum is a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone hormones after childbirth, which can cause depression and other mental health conditions. Many women will experience this as the baby blues.

The baby blues are not a maternal mental health condition, but a way to describe this expected hormonal shift that leaves women feeling that they’re on a rollercoaster of emotions. These feelings are not persistent. You are still able to care for yourself and your baby. You still enjoy your new role as a parent and feel a sense that this is temporary, and you will be back to yourself in no time. Symptoms like these generally go away after a few weeks.

Postpartum hormonal changes become a sign of a maternal mental health condition when a mother feels emotionally overwhelmed most of the day for at least 4 days a week. Symptoms often do not improve with the support of family and friends.

There are some factors that can increase your risk for maternal mental health conditions, including:

Our OB-GYNs routinely screen for signs of maternal mental health disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth. They may make an initial diagnosis based on your verbal or written answers to screening tests.  You can be referred to a UC Davis Health psychiatrist or connected with a behavioral health provider to complete a more thorough assessment and develop a care plan.

You never need a referral to engage in behavioral health services through your insurance company or health plan. Patients are always welcome to contact their insurance company or health plan directly to establish care.

Treatments for maternal mental health disorders depend on your condition. Many women benefit from a combination of therapies.

You may receive joint care from your OB-GYN, psychiatrist, therapist or other mental health professional. These experts work together to protect the health of you and your baby during and after pregnancy.

Because all pregnant or postpartum women are at risk of developing a maternal mental health condition, there is no known way to prevent the conditions. However, there are several ways that you can reduce your risk of a maternal mental health condition. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:

• Educate yourself about the warning signs of maternal mental health conditions.
• Participate in maternal mental health screening.
• Build a village of support. This includes asking for and accepting help with childcare, house cleaning, meals, and other tasks.
• If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, make sure your obstetrician knows and it is well managed. Medications can lose their effectiveness during pregnancy because you’re making more blood.
• Be honest if you’re experiencing any challenges that are impacting your mental health.
• Join a group for new parents. Your local family resource center or First 5 Commission can help you find one.
• Develop a postpartum support plan. Consider resources like Postpartum Support International.