Perinatal Occupational Therapy
What is it?
Perinatal occupational therapy combines the scope of occupational therapy and perinatal mental health to provide a holistic and practical approach during the perinatal period and to promote the health and wellness of the family unit.
The perinatal period includes the prenatal (time during pregnancy) and postpartum (first year after the baby is born) periods. According to Postpartum Support International, 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 men develop a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder during the perinatal period. While depression is the most common perinatal mood disorder, anxiety disorders are common as well (general anxiety, panic, obsessions/compulsions, birth-related post-traumatic stress, bipolar mood, psychosis, etc).
What are some characteristics?
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Feeling more irritable or angry with those around you
- Having difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feeling anxious or panicky
- Having problems sleeping or eating
- Having problems completing daily self-care tasks
- Feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed
- Having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your head
- Feeling as if you are “out of control”
- Feeling like you shouldn’t have become a parent
- Feeling worried you might hurt your baby or yourself
What is the focus of therapy?
- Understanding that having perinatal depression or anxiety does not mean that you are failing as a parent or that you will always feel that way
- Managing realistic expectations
- Regulating emotions and developing coping strategies
- Developing healthy sleep patterns, habits, routines and environment
- Maintaining self-care
- Understanding personal sensory system and strategies to assist with processing daily sensory information to promote optimal functioning
- Leisure exploration
- Developing skills for advocating
- Bonding techniques with baby to foster healthy relationships and promote development
- Learning about and exploring support options (practical and emotional)
Why should I consider treatment?
- The sooner you reach out for help, the sooner you will feel better
- Your family can thrive if you feel better; support and treatment can help you find your way
- Perinatal mental health can impact the long-term health and well-being of children if not addressed, which can further impact attachment and relationships
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