Welcoming a new life into the world is a momentous occasion, filled with joy and anticipation. However, the perinatal period, which encompasses trying to conceive, pregnancy, and the first year postpartum, can also bring about significant emotional challenges for both the birthing person and their partner. Perinatal mental health issues, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, are more common than one might think.
Today, we’ll explore how partners can play a crucial role in recognizing signs of perinatal mental health issues, offering unwavering support, and knowing when and how to seek help.
Recognizing the Signs: The first step in being a supportive partner during the perinatal period is recognizing the signs of potential mental health issues. Keep an eye out for:
- Mood Swings: Frequent and extreme mood swings that seem disproportionate to the situation could be indicative of a deeper emotional struggle.
- Withdrawal: If your partner is withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy or isolating themselves from friends and family, this might be a sign that something isn’t right.
- Excessive Anxiety or Worry: While some degree of worry is normal, if your partner is experiencing constant, overwhelming anxiety that interferes with their daily life, it’s time to take notice.
- Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion that goes beyond what’s expected during the perinatal period might signal a mental health issue.
- Changes in Appetite: Significant changes in eating habits—either overeating or loss of appetite—can be red flags.
- Difficulty Bonding: Struggling to bond with the baby or expressing thoughts of resentment or indifference toward the baby could be signs of a deeper emotional struggle.
Offering Support: Being a supportive partner means creating a safe and understanding environment. Here’s how you can help:
- Open Communication: Encourage open conversations about emotions and fears without judgment. Make it clear you’re there to listen and support.
- Share Responsibilities: Help alleviate the stress by sharing responsibilities related to the baby and household chores. Don’t just tick things off your partner’s list; help create the list.
- Encourage Self-Care: Remind your partner of the importance of self-care and watch the baby so they can take breaks.
- Accompany to Appointments: Offer to accompany your partner to doctor appointments or therapy sessions if they’re comfortable with it.
- Validate Emotions: Let your partner know that their feelings are valid and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about perinatal mental health issues so you can better understand what your partner is going through.
Seeking Help: Knowing when to seek professional help is crucial. If you notice the signs persisting or worsening, it’s time to take action:
- Encourage Professional Help: Suggest therapy or counseling to your partner and offer to help them find a suitable mental health professional.
- Emergency Situations: If your partner expresses thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby, take immediate action by contacting a mental health crisis hotline or a healthcare provider.
- Family and Friends: Reach out to your support network for guidance and assistance. Sometimes an outside perspective can provide valuable insights. Remember to reach out to long-distance supports virtually as well.
- Medication: If recommended by a healthcare professional, support your partner’s decision to explore medication as part of their treatment plan.
The perinatal period is a time of transition that can be challenging, but with the right support, couples can navigate it together. Partners have a crucial role to play in recognizing signs of perinatal mental health issues, providing unwavering support, and guiding their loved ones toward professional help when needed.
By working together, couples can create a foundation of emotional well-being for both the new parent and the newborn, fostering a healthier start to this beautiful journey of parenthood.
Amplify Wellness with Meg Duke 