Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum

Pregnancy is a time of considerable change, so it’s not surprising that many women experience mental health problems at some stage on their journey to motherhood. The team at KAVN Health in Columbia, Maryland, provides expert pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum mental health care. They support those with conditions like prenatal anxiety and postpartum depression, helping women to enjoy this special time. Call KAVN Health to arrange a pregnancy, prenatal, or postpartum evaluation, or book online today. Telemedicine appointments are available for patients living in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 

Why do women suffer prenatal and postpartum mental health problems?

Prenatal refers to your pregnancy, and postpartum to the period after delivery. You might develop mental health problems at these times for several reasons, including:

Hormones

Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormone) levels are often a primary cause of pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum mental health problems. These hormones significantly affect mood, and the quantities your body produces can change quite suddenly, causing considerable disruption.

Medical history

Your risk of pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum problems increases if you or close family members have a history of mental health disorders. It’s vital to discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of continuing with psychiatric medications during pregnancy to optimize your and your baby’s health.

Your mental well-being might also be affected by various challenges you encounter during or after pregnancy, including:

• Money worries
• Poor physical health
• Problems at work
• Relationship issues
• Inadequate housing
• Lack of family support
• Trauma
• History of miscarriage or stillbirth
• Pregnancy disorders like gestational diabetes

Often, women having their first baby worry more about what kind of parent they will be and how well-equipped they are to raise a child. These and other worries all affect mental well-being.

What pregnancy and prenatal problems can occur?

The most common pregnancy and prenatal mental health conditions KAVN Health sees include:

Prenatal depression

Many pregnant women experience mood dips during pregnancy, typically because of the changing hormone levels. However, some women develop a more intense and persistent low mood that nothing seems to shift.

Prenatal anxiety

Worry and fear are emotions women frequently encounter at times during their pregnancy, but these anxieties shouldn’t be dominant. If you become overly stressed and can’t relax, visit KAVN Health for perinatal anxiety treatment.

What postpartum problems might develop?

The most common postpartum conditions include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD might develop after your baby’s born if you have a particularly traumatic or stressful delivery.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is the most frequent problem affecting new moms. Most go through low periods as their hormones settle after delivery, but these “baby blues” soon pass. Women with postpartum depression continue to feel sad, hopeless, and helpless for weeks and months.

Whatever pregnancy, prenatal, or postpartum mental health problem affects you, the KAVN Health team can help. Call the office or schedule a consultation online today.