Understanding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
What PMADs are, who gets them, and why you are not alone.
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect up to 1 in 5 mothers during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. They are the most common complication of childbearing — more common than gestational diabetes or preterm birth.
What counts as a PMAD?
PMADs is an umbrella term that includes postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), postpartum OCD, postpartum PTSD, and the rare but serious postpartum psychosis.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop a PMAD, but risk is higher with a personal or family history of depression or anxiety, difficult birth experiences, lack of social support, sleep deprivation, and thyroid changes.
The most important thing to know
PMADs are not your fault. They are not a sign of weakness or bad mothering. With the right support — therapy, medication, or both — the vast majority of people recover fully.
Maternally is a support and screening tool, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.