The maternal mortality rate is unacceptably high, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Contributing to this crisis is perinatal mental illness – a complication of the pregnancy and the postpartum period that includes depression, anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis. It’s a leading cause of death during pregnancy and the first postpartum year in the United States.
“Depression and anxiety are the most common complication of pregnancy, and suicide and overdose are leading causes of death during pregnancy and the first postpartum year,”Alison Stuebe, MD, professor of maternal fetal medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UNC School of Medicine
Stuebe and her co-authors led a study, published in Health Affairs, to explore how a holistic approach comprised of seven domains can support reproductive justice during pregnancy and after birth. The seven domains include: a thriving natural world; basic needs for health and safety; humane housing; meaningful work and wealth; lifelong learning; reliable transportation; belonging and civic muscle.
In this study, Stuebe and colleagues reviewed the published literature to explore how vital conditions for health and wellbeing affect mental health for mothers and birthing people. Using the Rippel Foundation’s Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being framework, the paper explores how each of the vital conditions influence perinatal mental health.
The authors also found studies showing how lifelong learning, meaningful work and wealth, and reliable transportation are drivers of mental health. Policies such as expanding the Child Tax Credit, investing in universal, affordable, high-quality child care, establishing supportive learning environments, and aligning public transportation with the needs of pregnant and birthing people can enable wellness. (Newswise/RMP)