Rehabilitation Medicine’s Role in Supporting Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health influences pediatric development. Maternal mental illness, specifically trauma, elevated levels of anxiety, and depressive symptomology, is positively correlated with pediatric developmental challenges across systems due to reduced quality of both maternal attachment–fostering behaviors and maternal interaction in co-occupations. The symptomology of pregnancy-related mental illness is complex, not confined to just sadness or depression. Research in women’s health has historically been underfunded, and many health professionals report little to no training in pregnancy-related mental health disorders. Consequently, many women suffer in silence, reporting isolation, extreme emotional pain, and a lack of accessible services for support. Not only can pregnancy-related mental illness result in occupation disruption for the mother, but the subsequent alterations in pediatric neurodevelopment can contribute to cognitive deficits, poor emotional regulation, motor challenges, impaired sensory integration, and increased risk of mental illness as an adult. Rehab professionals in pediatric practice have access to new mothers and can normalize discussions of maternal mental health, incorporate mental health screening tools as a regular part of practice, and be armed with resources and, potentially, strategies for women who are struggling. Facilitating healthy interactions during co-occupations and providing mothers with concrete strategies they can use to increase the quality of their co-occupational experience with their baby can support the health and well-being of the dyad long term.