This chapter covers perinatal mental health problems, both those that develop in pregnancy and those that may be encountered as pre-existing when a patient becomes pregnant. Specific phobias relating to the state of being pregnant (tocophobia) or issues encountered in pregnancy (blood, injury, and injection phobia), as well as depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, self-harm, and substance abuse are covered. Treatment without consent and the role of the mother and baby unit are discussed.
Pregnancy is a transitional period involving the most complex experiences in a woman’s life, during which the woman’s psychological status can be affected by a wide range of psychosocial variables. However, positive interpersonal relationships appear to constitute a supportive network that significantly influences perinatal mental health. Therefore, the presence of a supportive partner works psycho-protectively against the difficulties and pressures created by the transition to maternity. The aim of this study was to review systematically the influence of the partner on the woman’s psychology during the perinatal period. Fourteen research articles from PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and PsycINFO were included in the review from a total of 1846 articles. Most studies have shown a correlation between the support from the partner and prenatal depression and anxiety. Support from the spouse during childbirth is related to the extent to which women feel safe during labor as well as the stress during childbirth. The role of the partner is very important in the occurrence of perinatal mental disorders in women. Of course, more research needs to be done in the field of perinatal mental health. The risk factors that lead to mental disorders need to be clarified and the role of the partner in the perinatal period requires reinforcement and needs to be given the necessary importance.
In 2020 the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic. Pregnant women have been recognised as a group specifically at risk during this time due to the impact that the COVID-19 infection may have on the health of the birthing person and the unknown impact of vertical transmission to the fetus. Pregnant women also have a recognised risk of perinatal mental health problems including depression and anxiety. The aim of this paper is to summarise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated infection control measures on perinatal depression and anxiety in England, the cost of the additional impact and the role of English National Health Service (NHS) trusts and maternity services in reducing the impact and cost. Studies including systematic reviews and meta-analyses have found a 3 to 5 fold increase in perinatal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to non-pandemic times. This increased prevalence, if also seen in England, is at a potential cost to society of £10.6 billion for depression and £6.9 billion for anxiety, including a cost to the health care sector of £649 million and £1.7 billion respectively. Health care Trusts and maternity services have an important role to play in reducing this cost, not just in providing maternity care, but also in monitoring the health of the population and referring onwards where needed. Modest improvements in the availability of social support including improved partner involvement during pregnancy and labour and support given by health care staff during maternity care have the potential to reduce the risk of perinatal depression and anxiety. Signposting to and provision of perinatal mental health services, particularly for women at risk, is also likely improve outcomes for birthing people and their infants and hence to reduce the total cost to society of perinatal mental health problems.
There is a paucity of research exploring how relationships with household pets may impact maternal mental health. We are unaware of any study to date that has examined associations between individuals’ relationships with their pets and psychological adjustment in the perinatal period. Using a biobehavioral lens, this paper provides a narrative overview of the literature on perinatal mental health and human–animal interaction (HAI). We focus on the role of social relationships, stress, and stress reduction in relation to perinatal mental health; the role of HAI in perceptions of social support, stressors, and stress reduction; and gaps in empirical knowledge concerning the role of HAI in perinatal mental health. Finally, we integrate contemporary biobehavioral models of perinatal mental health and HAI (i.e., Comprehensive Model of Mental Health during the Perinatal Period and the HAI–HPA Transactional Model) to propose a new conceptual framework that depicts ways in which HAI during the perinatal period may influence maternal and child health and wellbeing. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to consider the role of HAI in biobehavioral responses and mental health during the perinatal period. We conclude with recommendations for future research and improved perinatal care.
Maternal perinatal mental health and offspring academic achievement at age 16: the mediating role of childhood executive function
