Causes of perinatal mental health problems

Lack of support

Having a baby is a significant life event that can be stressful, exhausting, and overwhelming. If you lack a support network, it might impact your ability to cope and increase your chances of developing a mental health issue.

The charity Gingerbread provides advice and practical support to single-parent families. Home-Start can connect you with a volunteer who can offer practical and emotional support through home visits.

Difficult childhood experiences

Many of us have faced challenging situations during our childhood, such as:

• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Neglect
• An unstable family environment
• The loss of someone close

Research indicates that these experiences can make you more vulnerable to perinatal mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, later in life. These childhood experiences can also significantly influence how you feel about becoming a parent.

For instance, if your parents lacked effective parenting skills, you might struggle to adjust to your new role as a parent.

You may feel uncertain about understanding your baby’s needs, or worry that you won’t be able to provide for them adequately because you’re unsure how to care for them. For some, these challenges may fuel a determination to become a better parent.

No matter how you feel, accessing the right support can make a significant difference.

NAPAC offers assistance to anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood, including sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, and neglect.

Experience of abuse

Experiencing abuse can lead to various mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

As such, if you have suffered abuse, you might be at a higher risk of developing perinatal mental health problems. Types of abuse can include:

• Domestic violence
• Verbal abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual assault and rape
• Violent assault
• Financial abuse – for instance, if a partner tries to dominate you by restricting your control over your own finances.

Experiencing abuse might also impact your feelings about becoming a parent. For instance, if you were abused as a child, you might now find it hard to trust or connect with others. This could mean you struggle to bond with your baby.

Additionally, if you have fears of abandonment relating to past abuse or trauma, you might be anxious about leaving your baby or worry about potential harm coming to them.

Low self-esteem

If you have low self-esteem, you might question your ability to manage as a parent. For instance, when your baby cries, you might worry it’s due to a mistake you’ve made or something vital you’ve missed.

The way you view yourself could increase your likelihood of experiencing perinatal mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Stressful living conditions

Dealing with stressful living conditions can be challenging for anyone. If you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby, it might feel even more difficult. Such conditions can increase your risk of developing a perinatal mental health issue.

You may be facing challenges such as:

• Financial difficulties
• Insecure or poor-quality housing
• Unstable employment

These challenges can feel even more difficult if you live alone or have little to no support from others.

Living under these circumstances, you might worry that you can’t provide everything your baby needs, or you may feel as though you’re letting your baby down.

Major life events

Major life events can increase the stress in your life. Such events might include:

• An illness or death in the family
• The end of a relationship
• Moving house
• Losing your job

If you encounter these events while pregnant or after having a baby, you might be more likely to develop a perinatal mental health issue.

Having a baby is a significant life event that will likely bring many changes. You might leave your job or alter your working hours, which can greatly affect your finances.

Additionally, you may need to cut down on social activities and find it harder to see friends. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, which might add to mental health issues.

If your baby is unwell

Some babies may become ill after birth or be born prematurely, requiring them to stay longer in the hospital, often in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This can be unexpectedly shocking for many parents.

Having a baby in a neonatal unit can significantly affect your mental health. It can be deeply distressing and may cause symptoms of anxiety and postnatal PTSD, no matter the duration of your baby’s hospital stay.

You might feel helpless and guilty for not being able to do more. You may also find yourself spending time away from your baby, and you’re likely to experience a range of emotions simultaneously, which can be tough to handle.

Additionally, you might grieve over the birth experience or initial days with your baby that you had envisioned.

These feelings and experiences are common when your baby is in neonatal care, but they can lead to mental health issues.

The charity Bliss offers more information for parents whose babies are in neonatal care.