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Know the risk factors.

Having a risk factor below does not automatically mean you will experience anxiety, depression or related illnesses during or after pregnancy.  Knowing you have risk factors can help you prepare for support should you need it.

Known risk factors include:

  1. Mother/father is a minor (under age 18)

  2. Depression or anxiety in pregnancy

  3. Personal or family history of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

  4. Previous anxiety, depression or related perinatal mental health symptoms in a prior pregnancy/postpartum time frame.

  5. History of sensitivity to hormonal shifts (example: depression or anxiety at puberty, PMS, after pregnancy loss, mood sensitivity to birth control pills/fertility drugs)

  6. Thyroid dysfunction

  7. Poor social, familial or financial well-being

Complicating/additional risk factors:

  1. Crisis related to health of baby or mother (during pregnancy, during birth or after birth); high needs infant

  2. Recent loss/unresolved loss

  3. Recent move (feeling of isolation)

  4. “Type A” personality; perfectionist; “superwoman syndrome”

  5. Complications in pregnancy, birth; breastfeeding

  6. History of abuse

  7. History of lack of foundational attachment as a child

  8. Unresolved feeling about miscarriage, abortion, adoption or infant loss

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