Behavioral Health and Maternal Child Health: Important Considerations for the Holistic Health of New Moms

By |Published On: July 21st, 2021|

We’ve talked a lot about the critical importance of treating the whole patient, particularly in the area of maternal-child health. One of the primary pillars of holistic maternal child health treatment is ensuring proper and robust behavioral health resources to address the breadth of issues that mothers face both during and after pregnancy. Data from the World Health Organization indicates that, worldwide, about 10 percent of pregnant women and around 13 percent of mothers who have just given birth experience depression or some other type of mental disorder.

Common Behavioral Health Issues among New and Expectant Mothers

Understanding the parameters of maternal mental illness and the factors that can contribute to its onset and exacerbation, is key to providing meaningful treatment, support, and resources. There are many elements that lead to and worsen maternal mental illness, including but by no means limited to:

These issues manifest and present different in each patient, and it’s important to provide targeted and intuitive support resources to protect both mother and child.

Addressing the Common Behavioral Health Issues in Maternal Child Health

Addressing behavioral maternal child health issues must be done on a biopsychosocial level. This includes not only care from an experienced and qualified specialist, but also everyday support resources to help patients in the independent management of their condition.

Treating maternal mental health issues begins with understanding the specific factors that affect each patient, then providing a customized plan of intervention to “meet patients where they are” and engage them in their lived environment. If they’re worried about money; offer resources for potential financial assistance; if they’re struggling with substance use, link them with treatment resources; if they’re struggling with PPD, offer information and support resources on how they can get mitigate symptoms. This level of care must transcend the traditional doctor’s office visit and be implemented into everyday life.

70 and 80 percent of women experience postpartum depression on some level, with many experiencing severe and debilitating symptoms even months after their children are born.

GoMo Health Is Committed to Addressing Maternal Behavioral Health Issues

GoMo Health has worked with hospital systems and healthcare providers all over the world in the improvement of maternal child health outcomes, including addressing mental health issues among new and expectant mothers. Our programs focus on the complex and nuanced factors that can lead to behavioral health issues among this increasingly vulnerable population. To find out more about how we can help your patients and organization, contact a member of our team now and learn about our proven behavioral science.

The Interconnected Mind, Body, and Spirit: A Maternal and Child Health Infographic

A healthy pregnancy is impacted by more than just physical well-being. Research shows that supporting the physical, emotional, and mental health of pregnant women has a positive impact on their prenatal and postpartum experiences.

See the infographic
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