Background: Mental health problems such as Depression, Stress or anxiety during pregnancy have been linked to emotional and behavioral issues in infants causing low birth weight, increased rate of infections and more frequent hospital admissions in low-income settings. In India according to WHO, Post-Partum Depression affects 1 in 5 pregnant women of which 7.6% experience suicide ideation.
Aim: To explore the perceptions and experiences of mental health in pregnancy.
Objectives: 1.To understand the perceptions and experiences of mental health in pregnancy with respect to pregnant women. 2. To find out expert opinion regarding mental well-being in pregnancy.
Methodology: It is a community based; qualitative study conducted using 2 Focus Group Discussions and 4 key Informant interviews through a structured FGD questionnaire in RHTC and Interview guide in government and private hospitals.
Conclusion: Inadequate social support during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of antenatal depression, Pregnancy-related stress have shown to negatively affect mental wellbeing. Integrating routine mental health screening into antenatal care and strengthening community and family support is needed.
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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