Mental Health During Pregnancy and Post-Partum: What You Need to Know

Welcoming a baby into your life is a big and exciting change, but it can also bring new and overwhelming emotions. It’s common for new parents to feel sad or anxious in a way that goes beyond the ‘baby blues’. In fact, experiences associated with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are among the most common challenges during pregnancy and childbirth!

This webpage provides information about mental health challenges during pregnancy and in the year following birth, how to recognize symptoms and where to get help.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being. It includes your emotional, psychological, and social health—how you think, feel and act. Good mental health helps you cope with stress, relate to others and make decisions. Feeling well mentally is an essential component of leading a fulfilling life and functioning day-to-day.

Recognizing and supporting your mental health is especially important during significant life changes, like pregnancy and parenthood, where you are trying to do a lot of new things and are usually sleep-deprived!

Types of General Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions can affect anyone at any time but are particularly common during pregnancy and post-partum. Some of the most common conditions include:

Anxiety Disorders: Persistent feelings of worry or fear that interfere with daily life.
Depression: Ongoing sadness, low energy or loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Ongoing distress and difficult emotions that persist after a traumatic experience.
Bipolar Disorder: Extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Unwanted, repetitive thoughts and behaviors.
Eating Disorders: Preoccupation with food, weight, or body image.
Mood Disorders: Emotional disturbances affecting daily functioning.

Baby Blues and Baby Pinks

The baby blues refer to feelings of sadness, fatigue, or irritability that often occur in the first two weeks after having a baby. These feelings are typically mild—meaning they don’t severely interfere with your ability to care for yourself, your baby, or your daily life—and they usually resolve on their own.

The baby pinks are the opposite: feelings of extreme happiness, high energy, and a decreased need for sleep. Like the baby blues, these feelings usually disappear within the first two weeks after giving birth.

If these feelings continue for more than two weeks after your baby is born, they may be a sign of perinatal mood or anxiety challenges.

How Mental Health Affects Families

Experiencing mental health issues – whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe – doesn’t just affect the individual – they can impact relationships, family dynamics and even your baby’s development. Partners, family members and friends play a very important role in providing support and it is important to be open and honest about how you are feeling with them. If someone you care about is struggling, encourage them to seek help and offer a listening ear.

When Should You Be Concerned About Your Mental Health?

It is normal to feel stressed, sad or worried at times during your pregnancy or when you have a new baby. You should pay attention to your feelings, and note when these feelings:

Last a long time
Feel overwhelming or out of proportion
Interfere with your ability to do daily activities, maintain relationships or enjoy life

These challenges may be a sign of a mental health condition. It is important to remember that these conditions are common and treatable.

What are Perinatal Mood and Anxiety-related Disorders?

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety-related Disorders are the most common mental health conditions that occur or worsen during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They are influenced by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, identity shifts and the pressures of caregiving associated with pregnancy, childbirth and new parenthood.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders can affect anyone including those who have experienced pregnancy and birth, their partners and caregivers. In Canada, they impact:

1 in 4 women
1 in 10 men

Although Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders can impact anyone, certain groups are at a higher risk, including:

Those who have experienced mental health issues in the past
Black, Indigenous and People of Colour
Immigrants and refugees
Disabled individuals
Gender-diverse individuals
Those experiencing financial challenges or domestic violence
Those with little or no family or support networks

Unfortunately, fewer than 15% of individuals who are affected by Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders receive the support and treatment they need.

Types of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders can be experienced in many ways. Below are the most common types, their symptoms and risk factors:

Types	Symptoms	Risk Factors
Perinatal Anxiety	Excessive worryTrouble sleeping Decreased appetite Muscle tension Irritability	History of anxietyStressful events (i.e., financial issues, experiencing trauma or violence) Little or no family or support networks
Perinatal Depression	Low moodSleep/appetite changes Lack of interest Guilt Low energy	History of depressionFetal/newborn loss Pregnancy/birth complications
Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	Intrusive thoughtsExcessive checking or cleaning behaviours Over-attachment to infant Avoidance of infant	Poor sleepHistory of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (persistent, unwanted thoughts and feels the need to do certain actions repeatedly) Pregnancy loss (such as miscarriage or stillbirth) or having a complicated pregnancy or birth
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	Flashbacks of the traumatic eventAvoidance of people, feelings, or places High anxiety	History of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTDS)Traumatic birth Past abuse or trauma Having experienced medical emergencies Lack of social support
Postpartum Psychosis	Extreme mood swings Delusions Confusion	History of Bipolar Disorder History of psychosis Lack of sleep

Important: If you have thoughts about harming yourself or your infant, or any symptoms of psychosis, please call 988 (Suicide Crisis Line) or 911, or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders or another mental health condition, please discuss them with your health care provider as soon as you can.

Practical Self-Care Tips for Managing Your Mental Health

Here are some things that you can do to make sure that you are aware of and support your mental health during pregnancy and after your baby is born:

Prioritize Rest: Sleep when your baby sleeps and ask for help with nighttime feedings.
Stay Connected: Reach out to friends, family or support groups so that you do not feel isolated or alone.
Practice Mindfulness: Practice deep breathing, meditation or gentle yoga/exercise to help with your anxiety.
Eat Well: Eat nutritious meals to improve your energy levels and mood.
Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid trying to be perfect. Celebrate your small achievements.
Share your Feelings and Experiences: Talk to your partner, family or friends about how you are feeling so that they can support you. Share how you are feeling with your health care provider if you have any concerns or questions.

Getting Help

Remember – experiencing mood and anxiety issues during pregnancy and when your baby is a newborn is very common and there are solutions so that you will feel better. If you have any symptoms of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder or another mental health condition, here are some things you can do to get help and support:

Keep Track of Your Feelings
Write down your emotions, symptoms, and experiences. This can help you identify patterns and share details with your health care provider.
Talk to Someone You Trust
Share how you feel with a partner, friend or family member. They can provide support and help you take the next steps.
Reach Out to a Health Care Provider
Contact your health care provider and ask for an appointment as soon as possible. If you do not have a health care provider, visit a walk-in clinic. Be prepared to share your symptoms, medical history and any medications you are taking.
Follow the Treatment Plan
Your health care provider may recommend therapy, medication, or self-help strategies. Discuss the options to find what works best for you.

Perinatal mental health is a very important part of your overall well-being during pregnancy and during the first year after your baby is born. If you are experiencing challenges, remember that you are not alone and help is available. Getting help can make a big difference in how you feel, helping you recover, enjoy your baby and take care of yourself so that you can feel your best.