Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day: in pregnancy and postpartum, the importance of not feeling alone

By Cristiano Antonino On Oct 10, 2022

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, something to keep in mind when talking about pregnancy and postpartum

Mental disorders negatively impact the quality of life of women and their families, and often lead to isolation and loneliness.

They account for 30 percent of all disabilities with serious personal, emotional-familial, social-relational and occupational repercussions.

World Health Day 2022, what is the most common pregnancy-related mental disorder?

Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth, but only in half of the cases is it recognized and properly managed.

Is it possible to prevent and recognize it?

Since it is scientifically proven that depression is a preventable disorder, it becomes extremely important to implement actions that can lead to its prevention.

Sometimes, in fact, despite the high frequency of contact with health professionals such as midwives, nurses, childminders, pediatricians, both before and after childbirth, the disorder is rarely recognized.

What does postpartum depression entail?

If not recognized and treated, this disorder interferes with the new mother’s ability to establish an appropriate relationship with her baby with long-term negative consequences on the cognitive, social, and emotional development of the baby.