Perinatal Mental Health with
Laudy Burgos, LCSW-R, PMH-C

Perinatal mental health refers to an individual’s mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The transition to parenthood is a life changing experience with significant physical and psychological adjustments for the entire family. Many parents experience mood changes and during pregnancy and/or after the birth of their child. When these symptoms do not get better on their own, get worse and begin to affect a person’s quality of life, they may be experiencing a perinatal mental health disorder. While the term “Postpartum Depression” has been used in the past, experts now recognize that a number of different mental health disorders are common. These disorders are now known as Perinatal Mental Health Disorders. Parents are not to blame for experiencing a perinatal mental health disorder: it is not brought on by anything a person has or has not done. Perinatal mental health disorders occur in people of every culture, age, income level and ethnicity. Treating perinatal mental health conditions may help prevent long-term and adverse effects for parents, children and families.

The spectrum of perinatal mental health disorders includes:

• Perinatal depression

• Perinatal anxiety and panic disorders

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Perinatal bipolar disorder and postpartum mania

• Postpartum psychosis

• Complicated grief after perinatal loss