Information, self-care tools, treatment information and stories to support your mental health during pregnancy, after birth and throughout your reproductive journey.
Depression can happen during pregnancy and/or after birth. These resources can help you understand symptoms, treatment options and ways to care for yourself.
Guides and tools
- Coping with Depression During Pregnancy and Following the Birth: A self-care guide for people experiencing depression and for the health-care providers supporting them. It includes information about signs and symptoms, treatment options, exercises and lifestyle changes.
-
Perinatal Depression Treatment Options: A fact sheet about treatment options for depression during pregnancy and after birth.
-
Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression: Learn about baby blues and postpartum depression, including symptoms and available supports.
-
SSRI Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Information about the use of antidepressants during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
-
Postpartumcare.ca: An evidence-based website for new parents experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety. It was co-developed through research led by a team at the Women's Health Research Institute, with insights from clinical experts at BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre. It includes:
- Information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis and self-care
- Stories and support from other parents
- Links to resources in BC
- A mood and anxiety tracker
Videos and personal stories
- Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Michelle's story about experiencing anxiety and depression and deciding whether to take antidepressants during pregnancy
- Ava's story about experiencing depression during pregnancy and postpartum and receiving support through the Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Outpatient Clinic and Mindfulness-Based Interventions
- Creating Comfort in Choice- Animated Video: This video explores the personal journey of deciding whether to take antidepressant medication during pregnancy, including the internal and external pressures that can be part of the decision. The video is based on research by Dr. Catriona Hippman.
Anxiety can happen during pregnancy and after birth. These resources can help you recognize symptoms, understand treatment options and learn strategies for managing anxiety.
If you have ADHD and are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you may have questions about whether to continue, change or stop your medication. You may also wonder about other tools to support you in managing your condition.
Guides
The following guide was developed by the BC Women's Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Program. They consulted people who made decisions about ADHD medication during pregnancy and health-care professionals who have supported them.
Find best practice guidelines for managing ADHD in the perinatal period on the
Reproductive Mental Health Resources page.
Find information about bipolar disorder during pregnancy and after birth, including treatment considerations.
Learn about psychosis that can occur during pregnancy and after birth.
Learn about premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
