Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal: Anytime During Pregnancy Through the First Year Postpartum

Perinatal mood disorder (PMAD) is a mental health condition that can occur during pregnancy, after giving birth, or during the perinatal period, which is the time from pregnancy through 12 months after birth. It can include a range of disorders, such as:

• The baby blues
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Postpartum psychosis

You and your support person should be aware and watch for symptoms of PMAD, which include:

• Feelings of guilt, shame or crying & sadness
• Severe mood swings
• Severe anxiety or worry
• Lack of appetite
• Feeling like a bad mother
• Loss of interest or joy in previous sources of pleasure
• Feelings of anger, rage or irritability, scary thoughts    
• Thoughts of harming yourself, baby or other children
• Lack of interest in baby difficulty bonding

At Beverly Hospital, our care team will monitor for signs and symptoms of PMAD and will check in with you periodically throughout your prenatal and post-partum care. If you do have any disturbing feelings or thoughts, we encourage you to:

• Call your provider
• Call the postpartum support line at 800-944-4773
• Go to the Emergency Department