Depression is a common issue during the perinatal period, with suicide being a leading cause of maternal mortality. Certain groups, such as younger women, migrants, and those with a history of trauma, are at a higher risk for perinatal mental health conditions.
A study in England revealed increased risks of pre-term birth and small-for-gestational-age babies in women with a history of mental health issues before pregnancy. These women are also at an increased risk of relapse during the perinatal period.
The NHS in England has made significant investments in perinatal mental health services. A recent study looked at the impact of community perinatal mental health teams on access to secondary mental healthcare and postnatal relapses.
The study analyzed data from NHS England, linking mental healthcare episodes with Hospital Episode Statistics and birth notifications. Results showed that the presence of community perinatal mental health teams was associated with increased access to care and reduced postpartum relapses and preterm births.
However, the study also found higher rates of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and small-for-gestational-age babies in regions with community perinatal teams, despite controlling for potential confounders. Potential explanations included the overshadowing of physical health risk factors by mental health focus and increased psychotropic medication use.
While the presence of community perinatal mental health teams is beneficial for increased access to care and reduced relapses, clinicians must be vigilant about potential pitfalls such as diagnostic overshadowing and the need for multidisciplinary care during the perinatal period.
Moving forward, it is important for professionals to work collaboratively and provide high-quality care to prevent pregnancy risks associated with mental health conditions. Additional research is needed to further understand the impacts and mechanisms of community perinatal mental health teams on outcomes for women with mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum.
