The journey into parenthood is often described with words like magical, beautiful, and fulfilling. Those moments are real—but so are the quiet midnights, the unexpected tears, the anxiety that tightens the chest, and the inner voice that whispers, I should be coping better than this.

Perinatal Mental Health Week, observed every year from 23–29 November, exists for one reason:
to remind every mother and parent that emotional struggles during pregnancy and the postpartum period are common, valid, and absolutely treatable.

This week creates space for a conversation that many families hesitate to start—about what the mind and heart truly experience when creating and caring for a new life.

The Perinatal Period: A Time of Immense Change

The perinatal phase spans from pregnancy to the first year after childbirth. The body is shifting, the brain is rewiring, sleep is fractured, and identity is transforming. Every part of life feels different.

Many mothers describe this time as riding two waves at once: joy and fear. Some days feel radiant. Some days feel heavy. And both are normal.

But for some, the intensity becomes more than temporary overwhelm. That’s when professional support can make all the difference.

What Perinatal Mental Health Conditions Can Feel Like

These conditions aren’t character flaws. They aren’t signs of weakness. They are medical and psychological responses to intense biological, emotional, and social changes.

1. Perinatal Depression

This might feel like:
• persistent sadness or emptiness
• irritability or emotional numbness
• guilt about not feeling “connected enough” to the baby
• feeling overwhelmed by even simple tasks
• loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

2. Perinatal Anxiety

This might show up as:
• constant worry that doesn’t turn off
• racing thoughts
• panic attacks
• fear of making a mistake or something happening to the baby
• difficulty sleeping even when the baby sleeps

3. Postpartum OCD (Obsessive Thoughts)

Many new mothers experience sudden intrusive thoughts—often frightening or “out of character.”
These thoughts do not mean you will act on them.
They are symptoms, not reflections of who you are.

4. Birth Trauma

Difficult labour, emergency procedures, or feeling unheard during delivery can leave emotional scars that linger long after the body heals.

5. Postpartum Psychosis

Rare, but serious.
Symptoms include confusion, mood swings, hallucinations, and disorganised behaviour.
Immediate medical help is essential.

Why These Conditions Happen

Perinatal mental health difficulties arise from a mix of:

• hormonal changes (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones)
• brain changes linked to caregiving readiness
• sleep deprivation
• previous mental health history
• relationship stress or limited support
• traumatic pregnancy or delivery experiences

None of these are your “fault.”
All of them are understandable human responses.

If You’re Struggling, Here Is What You Need to Know

You are not alone.

One in five mothers experiences perinatal mental health concerns. You might feel isolated, but countless others have walked this path—and recovered with the right support.

Early help brings faster healing.

Talking to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or gynaecologist can prevent symptoms from worsening and help you reconnect with joy, bonding, and stability.

You deserve care too.

The world often focuses on the baby. This week reminds us:
A healthy baby needs a healthy mother—not a perfect mother, but one who feels supported.

It is completely okay to seek help.

There is no “ideal mother.”
There is only a real person doing her best under extraordinary circumstances.

Practical Ways to Support Your Mental Health

These steps aren’t solutions by themselves, but they help create space for healing.

1. Rest without guilt

Sleep deprivation intensifies every symptom. Even short naps matter. Let trusted family members take over for a few hours.

2. Nourish your body

Regular meals, hydration, and gentle movement (like walking) support brain recovery.

3. Share how you feel

Talk to someone—your partner, a friend, or a doctor. Emotional ventilation reduces internal pressure.

4. Create a small daily routine

Tiny anchors—morning sunlight, a warm shower, 10 minutes of breathing—help stabilise mood.

5. Avoid comparing yourself to others

Every pregnancy and postpartum journey is different. Social media is not reality.

6. Seek professional support early

Psychotherapy, support groups, and sometimes medication can rebuild wellbeing quickly and safely.
Many medications are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding under medical guidance.

How Families Can Help

Perinatal mental health is never just one person’s issue; it is a family matter.

Partners, parents, and friends can support by:

• offering judgment-free listening
• helping with chores without being asked
• encouraging rest
• reducing pressure to “bounce back”
• reminding the mother that she is valued, not just needed

The gentlest act can transform a difficult day.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Contact a healthcare professional urgently if these occur:

• thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
• severe anxiety that disrupts functioning
• hallucinations or confusion
• inability to sleep for several nights despite exhaustion

Timely help saves lives—and restores futures.

A Message to Every Mother

If this phase feels overwhelming, remember something simple yet powerful:
You are not meant to carry this alone.

Your worth is not measured by how calmly you cope or how quickly you “recover.” You are allowed to feel tired, frustrated, scared, or disconnected. You are also allowed to heal at your own pace.

Perinatal Mental Health Week is not a celebration—it is a promise.
A promise that you will be heard.
A promise that your emotional wellbeing matters.
A promise that motherhood is not meant to be survived, but lived with support, clarity, and compassion.

Healing begins the moment you realise that reaching out is a sign of strength, not failure.

Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS), DNB, MBA (BITS Pilani)
Consultant Psychiatrist & Neurofeedback Specialist
Mind & Memory Clinic, Apollo Clinic Velachery (Opp. Phoenix Mall)
✉ srinivasaiims@gmail.com 📞 +91-8595155808