Prenatal Mental Health: Continuous Care from Pregnancy

Abstract

Childbirth brings biological, socioeconomical, and psychological changes to women. Health professionals need to understand fully the mother's understanding of the concept of motherhood and family. Not only psychologists and psychiatrists but also all the health staff who are working in perinatal medicine are recommended to have receptive listening skills in communication. Then it is important to receive education and training on maternal mental health to provide their service. The staff must know that most risk factors which lead women to suffer disturbances of mental health are identified during pregnancy period and that severity is different between the normal range of maternal worries and psychiatric symptoms. Prevention, care, and treatment strategy throughout this period should be well designed to be carried out in a multidisciplinary way to women at risk or in need of care. Stigma of mental illnesses is an obstacle for women who seek emotional and psychiatric support. Maternal mental care system starting from pregnancy which covers all kinds of problems is important for well-being of mothers and their families.