Perinatal mental illness refers to new and recurrent mental illness that occurs during pregnancy and the first postnatal year. It includes all mental health conditions that may emerge or relapse during this time in a woman’s life. People immediately think of Postnatal Depression as the most common concern for new mothers, but Antenatal Depression is at least as common. Antenatal and Postnatal Anxiety are also both common. Perinatal mental illness includes mental illness specific to mothers, such as Birth Trauma, and the uncommon cases of Puerperal Psychosis. But any condition can occur or relapse during the perinatal period, including PTSD, Eating Disorders, OCD, Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder.
Perinatal Mental Illness can have a significant impact on those affected, impairing relationships, quality of life and physical health. There is a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the risks of perinatal mental illness to both mothers and their infants. Perinatal mental illness is associated with a higher risk of pre-term birth, low birth weight, impaired bonding, and long-term emotional, cognitive and psychological problems for the child.
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