Maternal Mental Health
Maternal mental health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (commonly referred to as the "perinatal" period). It encompasses a wide range of emotional and mental health issues that can affect women as they navigate the challenges and changes associated with motherhood.
Preconception & Prenatal Mental Health
Preconception mental health considers a woman's mental health before she becomes pregnant. It emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns before conception to optimize overall perinatal mental well-being.
Prenatal mental health focuses on a woman's mental well-being during pregnancy. It acknowledges that mental health issues can arise during gestation and aims to provide support and interventions before childbirth. Conditions like antenatal depression and anxiety may affect pregnant women.
Postpartum Mental Health
Postpartum mental health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of women in the period following childbirth. This period, often referred to as the "postpartum" or "postnatal" period, typically spans the first few weeks to months after giving birth. Postpartum mental health encompasses a range of emotional and mental health conditions that can affect new mothers.
Black Maternal Mortality
Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than women of other races.
Black women have a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for White women.
More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable.
Perinatal Mental Health & Black Women
Black women are at an increased risk of experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression. This can have negative effects on both maternal and infant health.
Black women may experience disparities in the quality of prenatal and postpartum care, which can contribute to the increased risk of perinatal mental health issues. Cultural competence and equitable healthcare practices are crucial to addressing these disparities.
Stigma around mental health can be a significant barrier for Black women seeking help. Cultural factors and beliefs about mental health and motherhood may influence their willingness to discuss their struggles openly.
We Are Here To Help
While many women find joy throughout the journey of pregnancy and motherhood, there are also many factors that can put stress on birthing persons mental and physical well-being, which may make the journey more challenging.
Onyx Psychological Solutions is committed to providing strong support to women by providing therapeutic support and treatment during your perinatal and postpartum period.