Impact of perinatal depression

Perinatal depression, beyond being an individual clinical condition, represents a problem with profound repercussions on multiple dimensions of maternal, child, and family life. Its approach cannot be limited to isolated diagnosis, as its effects transcend the overall health of the mother, the development of the baby, and the stability of the couple and their environment.

Consequences for the mother

First, the impact on the mother is significant. Women with perinatal depression often experience difficulties in self-care, poor adherence to prenatal care, and poor nutrition, which increases the risk of obstetric complications.

Emotionally, they feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or unable to fulfill their maternal role, which deepens their depression. Maternal suicide is one of the leading causes of perinatal death, a figure that illustrates the seriousness of not detecting and treating this condition in time. When left untreated, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts or ideas of disappearing, even when the mother appears functional to those around her.

Consequences for the baby

The baby is also directly affected by perinatal depression. The early emotional connection between mother and child—the so-called attachment bond—is compromised when the mother is depressed.

This difficulty in establishing a sensitive and consistent relationship affects the mother's ability to interpret and respond to the baby's signals, which interferes with the baby's emotional regulation, the development of secure attachment, and the acquisition of social-emotional skills.

On a physical level, there has been a higher incidence of premature births, low birth weight, and medical complications in children of depressed mothers.

In later stages, these children may experience psychomotor development disorders, learning difficulties, and even a higher risk of emotional disorders in adolescence, as shown in studies where 50% of adolescents with a psychiatric diagnosis had mothers who had suffered from depression during pregnancy.

Consequences for the couple and the family environment

The family environment also suffers