Maternal Mental Health and Wellness

Maternal mental health refers to a mother’s overall emotional, social, and mental well-being, both during and after pregnancy. Positive maternal mental health influences her ability to provide stable, nurturing care, and establish secure emotional bonds with her child. Untreated maternal mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can negatively impact the child’s long-term emotional and psychological health.

“Recognizing and addressing maternal mental health is crucial and contributes to healthier families and communities,” shares Osekpamen Wickliffe, M.D., an adult psychiatrist and fellowship-trained child and adolescent psychiatrist at OSU Behavioral Medicine. In addition to treating a full range of mental health disorders, Dr. Wickliffe has a special interest in caring for women’s mental health during and beyond the period of having children. Dr. Wickliffe explains why maternal mental health is important.

Perinatal Period

The time frame from conception through the first year of giving birth. This period involves a lot of changes and can be a vulnerable period for women. This can sometimes translate into mood changes.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

In the US perinatal depression affects 1 in 5 to 7 women. Various factors, including family history, personal history, environmental factors/stressors, pregnancy complications, etc., can increase the likelihood of developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

You’ve got This!

Struggling with your mental health in this time does not make you weak or an unfit parent.
It is okay to not be okay sometimes.

Share How You are Feeling/Talk to Your Doctor

It is important to be aware of the mental changes you experience in the perinatal period and seek help when needed.

OSU Behavioral Medicine  |  918-236-4000