DiscusionOrder Description
250 words discussionWhile previous approaches to mental health in the perinatal period focused on postnatal depression, more recent studies suggest that:

Antenatal depressive symptoms are as common as postnatal symptoms
Depression identified postnatally begins antenatally in up to 40% of women; and
Anxiety disorders may be as common as depression in the perinatal period (beyond blue
2011, pg1)
beyond blue, 2011,Clinical practice guidelines Depression and related disorders anxiety, bipolar disorder and puerperal psychosis in the perinatal periodA guideline for primary care health professionals.www.beyondblue.org.auQuestionIdentify factors that can increase a womans vulnerability to anxiety and/ or depression during the antenatal period. Discuss why managing antenatal anxiety and depression is important.The following document may assist and can be accessed at:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/health-professionals/clinical-practice-guidelines/perinatal-clinical-practice-guidelines