Mental Health in the perinatal period 

The term 'perinatal' typically encompasses the period from pregnancy through the first year after birth, acknowledging its prolonged effects on parental well-being. BUT new research is even showing that brain changes and hormone shifts can be happening for the first two years after child birth!

This powerful transition has been terms MATRESCENSE. Non birth parents can also experience profound brain changes.

During pregnancy, your body goes through an incredible hormonal journey to support your baby’s growth and prepare you for birth and bonding. Two key hormones, estrogen and progesterone, work hard to keep your baby safe and healthy. As you get closer to delivery, these hormones reach their highest levels ever—and then drop suddenly after birth.

Another important hormone is oxytocin, often called the "love hormone." It plays a big role in labor by helping your uterus contract, and after birth, it strengthens the deep connection between you and your baby. Oxytocin is also linked to breastfeeding, helping with milk letdown and promoting feelings of warmth and closeness.

These rapid hormonal shifts, along with exhaustion and the huge life change of welcoming a baby, can sometimes lead to the "baby blues." Many new parents experience mood swings, sadness, irritability, or even unexpected bursts of tears in the first couple of weeks postpartum. It’s completely normal, and it usually fades as your body adjusts. But if these feelings last longer or feel overwhelming, it could be a sign of postpartum depression, which is common and treatable with the right support.

Your body is doing something amazing, and these hormonal changes are all part of the process. Being aware of them can help you be kinder to yourself and reach out for support if you need it!

Beyond Baby Blues: What about after the first two weeks?

PMADs, or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, are mental health conditions that can affect parents during pregnancy and after birth. They include:

  • Postpartum Depression (PPD): Feeling persistently sad, exhausted, or disconnected from your baby.

  • Perinatal Anxiety: Constant worry, panic attacks, or feeling on edge. Can often be generalized to worry about the baby or other themes

  • Postpartum Psychosis: A rare but serious condition with confusion, hallucinations, or delusions.

  • Postpartum OCD: Unwanted, distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors, often about keeping the baby safe.

  • Perinatal PTSD: Trauma reactions after a difficult or scary birth experience.

Doctors may use the following screening tool to see if you are struggling with any of the above. This tool is called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Often a score above 10-12 warrants further investigation. ANY suicidal thoughts also warrant further investigation. We have tools on our site to help you find a psychiatrist or therapist. This information can also empower you to reach out to your OB if you are worried you might be struggling with a PMAD.

Another Important point: Even if you do not have a PMAD, that does not mean that your experience is not hard and deserving of support resources.

Here are some books and support groups that validate some of the normal AND hard of pregnancy and postpartum

Perhaps some the hard you are feeling is the powerful shift of MATRESENCE.

This is not a term Etc. came up with and actually is not yet in the dictionary (it should be!!!)

It describes the powerful shifts that happen in the perinatal period.

Dr Lucy Jones writes a beautiful book on this that is also on Spotify (because let’s be real…what new mom has time to read a book!)