Prevention and comprehensive management

Perinatal depression, despite its high prevalence, remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. To address this issue effectively, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes prevention strategies, education, clinical follow-up, and an interdisciplinary approach focused on women and their context.

Prevention starting with prenatal care

Prevention begins with prenatal checkups. All pregnant women should be evaluated in the first trimester through adequate screening for depressive and anxiety symptoms, as recommended by international guidelines. Tools such as the Edinburgh Scale or even the two questions from the Whooley screening allow for timely detection.

This process should consider risk factors such as psychiatric history, history of trauma, teenage pregnancy, lack of a support network, and obstetric complications. Prevention involves identifying and providing support early, even before symptoms appear.

Education and psychoeducation for patients and their families

Psychoeducation plays a fundamental role, not only for the patient, but also for her family and caregivers. Many women who experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy or postpartum do not seek help for fear of being judged or because they believe their emotions are a “weakness.”

This cultural stigma—deeply rooted in Latin American societies—perpetuates the invisibility of maternal suffering. Education should focus on normalizing emotional support during pregnancy, debunking myths about idealized motherhood, and raising awareness that a mother's mental health has a direct impact on her baby's health.

In addition, it is essential to train healthcare teams on the difference between postpartum sadness (baby blues) and perinatal depression to avoid minimizing symptoms that could escalate if left untreated.

Importance of post-treatment follow-up

The treatment of perinatal depression does not end with the disappearance of symptoms. Continuous clinical follow-up is essential, especially in women with a history of depression or perinatal psychosis, as they are at high risk of relapse.

In addition, many patients, although clinically stable, may have difficulty bonding with their babies or maintaining self-care, which requires sustained