About one in five women experience mental health problems such as depression or anxiety during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. These problems can affect daily life, family relationships and the care of a new child. The perinatal period means pregnancy plus the first year after birth.
Kara Zivin is a professor and a health policy researcher. She has written about her own depression during pregnancy in a memoir. In a published interview she described worries about antidepressant use and how ill she became.
The interview highlights common childbirth complications, pressure on modern mothers, and the importance of support from family, friends and health professionals. Better support and clearer information can help affected families.
Difficult words
- perinatal — Time covering pregnancy and first year after birth
- depression — A mental illness causing deep sadness and low energy
- anxiety — Strong worry or fear that is hard to control
- complication — A problem that happens during medical care or birthcomplications
- support — Help from other people in difficult times
- memoir — A short personal book about someone's life
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you or someone you know had worries during pregnancy or after birth? What helped?
- Who can give support to a new mother, according to the article?
- Why is clear information important for families?
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