Perinatal Mental Health

Peripartum care is part of the routine practice of family doctors, midwives, and obstetricians; however, for mothers, childbirth is a momentous and sometimes traumatic experience. Without proper care and understanding, even mild emotional distress may be prolonged, whilst more serious problems can result in lasting damage to the mother, her family, and particularly to the psychological development of the child.

Perinatal Mental Health provides authoritative and practical guidance for all professionals involved in perinatal care in both the hospital and the community. The skills it advocates recognise the considerable humanitarian and economic benefits of preventive care, particularly for those who are most vulnerable.