Perinatal mental health disorders

What are perinatal mental health conditions? 

Screening should consider a range of conditions that may affect women during the perinatal period, not just depression alone. The National Clinical Guideline highlights anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis as key conditions requiring careful assessment. 

Perinatal anxiety is common and affects around one in five women in Australia. That makes early recognition especially important in routine antenatal and postnatal care. 

Perinatal depression is often missed because its symptoms may be mistaken for common changes in pregnancy or the demands of caring for a new baby. A structured assessment helps health professionals look beyond what may appear to be typical adjustment. 

Screening is most effective when it is built into routine care during pregnancy and again after birth. Repeating assessment at key stages helps identify concerns that may emerge or change across the perinatal period. Conduct screening as early as practical in pregnancy and at least once later in pregnancy, or at any time if clinically indicated. Postpartum, conduct screening as 6–12 weeks after the birth and at least once in the first postnatal year or at any time if clinically indicated. 

Psychosocial risk assessment helps identify factors that may increase the likelihood of mental health difficulties during pregnancy and after birth. Used alongside symptom screening, it gives a fuller picture of a woman’s needs and supports earlier intervention. 

The EPDS is a screening tool used to identify possible symptoms of depression and anxiety in the perinatal period. It is designed to support clinical conversations and next-step assessment rather than act as a diagnosis on its own. The EPDS can be administered manually, or digitally with the iCOPE Screening tool.  

Women with a family history of bipolar disorder may be at increased risk, including the possibility of a first episode during the perinatal period. This is why history-taking and risk awareness are an important part of assessment. 

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but severe mental health disorder that can occur in the weeks or months after birth. It can pose risks to the safety of both mother and baby and requires urgent recognition, assessment and specialist support. 

A positive screen should lead to further clinical assessment, discussion and an appropriate care response based on the person’s needs and level of risk. The goal is timely support, not simply recording a screening score. 

Early identification creates more opportunities to provide support before symptoms worsen or begin to affect day-to-day functioning, bonding with your baby, or overall wellbeing. It also helps health professionals make better-informed decisions about monitoring, referral and ongoing care. 

COPE provides guidance for health professionals on screening and assessment tools, including information linked to the National Perinatal Mental Health Guideline. That makes the page a useful starting point for understanding both common disorders and the assessment approach that supports good care.