Maternal perinatal mental health and multiple births: implications for practice

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychiatry
• Reproductive Mental Health
• Maternal Psychology

Background:

• Limited research exists on the specific links between multiple births and perinatal psychiatric illness.
• Existing studies often have small sample sizes and are descriptive, with much literature focused on assisted conception.
• Current understanding of maternal mental health determinants in multiple gestations is insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss conceptualizations of maternal perinatal mental health in multiple gestations and births.
• To identify evidence-based risks and areas needing further investigation.
• To suggest implications for clinical practice in supporting mothers of multiples.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on psychological sequelae of multiple gestations and births.
• Discussion of current conceptualizations of maternal mental health determinants.
• Identification of knowledge gaps in the field.

Main Results:

• Women with multiple gestations and births show elevated risk for pregnancy anxiety, postpartum depression, and complicated grief.
• Associations between multiple births and maternity blues or postpartum psychosis are less understood.
• Factors like psychiatric history, abuse, intimate partner intimidation, operative delivery, prematurity, neonatal illness, and infant separation require further study.

Conclusions:

• Women experiencing multiple births face unique psychological demands requiring specialized care.
• Routine antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care must acknowledge and address these increased psychological challenges.
• Further research is crucial to understand the full spectrum of mental health impacts and inform comprehensive support strategies.