Today, the 10th of October, is World Mental Health Day, and we wanted to take the opportunity to spotlight the mental health of mothers and, this year, especially, the mental health during pregnancy. Generally, when a woman is pregnant, all questions and resources about her well-being are related to her physical well-being. However, the emotional part seems to lose importance and is often overlooked.

What if the pregnancy was unplanned?

To begin with, we tend to think and take for granted that a positive pregnancy test is always good news and a trigger for extreme happiness. And that may be true in a large percentage of cases. However, in the US, for example, some data suggests that over 40% of pregnancies are unplanned. But what about the emotional process faced by those women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy or with a pregnancy where personal, work, or socioeconomic circumstances are not supportive? Undoubtedly, we have to consider the fact that the mental health of women who find themselves in these situations might be affected, and they require a respectful space that delicately accompanies them in this moment.

Even when it was planned…

In the case of a desired pregnancy, we can also see that mental health is relevant. We are familiar with the physical evolution, but it would be equally important to understand the natural psychological evolution of pregnancies. For example, we know that during the first trimester, it is common to connect with mixed feelings of joy and uncertainty. Sometimes, the sex of the baby is not what the mother wanted, and she experiences a real mourning process with this; or, towards the end of the pregnancy, the mother may experience an increased state of anxiety about the upcoming birth. Undoubtedly, the natural process of pregnancy has an impact on the mental health of pregnant women.

What if something goes wrong?

In addition, thinking about those cases of pregnancies at high risk, for whatever reason, pregnancies in which things suddenly get complicated or how emotionally difficult pregnancies can be after a pregnancy loss, we can understand that experiences can be tremendously complex. Sometimes, complications are not related to the pregnancy itself. Still, they happen for long-lasting things in everyday life in other spheres, such as family, work, social, economic, etc., which, again, have a direct or indirect impact on women’s mental health.

Pregnancy is a good time for therapy

We also know that pregnancy can be a particularly good moment for therapy. So, we strongly hope that if you are up for it, you will find a space where you feel supported as you need to be. May you, your baby and your mental health be the most important thing.

For more information on mental health after giving birth, head to this article.

Noelia Extremera

LactApp Perinatal Psychologist