Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a time of joy, excitement, and new beginnings for many families. But for others, this time is marked by extreme anxiety, sadness, and grief. That’s what makes discussing perinatal suicide (during pregnancy or after giving birth) challenging but important.
What Is Perinatal Suicide?
Perinatal suicide is when a person takes their own life while pregnant or within the first year after giving birth to a baby. According to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, 20% of American maternal deaths are from suicide, making it one of the leading causes of death for new moms.
Hormonal changes and the stress of labor, birth, and newborn care mean that any pregnant person is at risk. However, some women are at an increased risk for perinatal mood disorders and suicide because of their medical history or environment. Everyone should know the warning signs of suicide and when and how to get help.
What Factors Increase the Risk for Perinatal Suicide?
- Medical history of mood disorders (anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder) before pregnancy
- Family history of suicide
- Prior suicide attempt
- Age 18–24 years old
- Stressful life events (divorce, loss of a job, or recent loss of a loved one) or overwhelming pressure at school or work
- Poor social support (lack of support from family, friends, employers, and others)
- Financial stressors (poverty, unstable housing, food insecurity, and lack of childcare)
- Substance use
- Intimate partner violence
- An unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- A traumatic birth experience (such as emergency cesarean surgery or your baby being admitted to the NICU)
What Factors Reduce Risk for Perinatal Suicide?
While many factors increase the risk of perinatal suicide, consider the following protective factors:
- Management of prepregnancy mood disorders with therapy and/or medication as needed
- Strong social support system (family members and friends who can lend a listening ear and offer other types of support, like childcare, cooking, cleaning, and financial assistance)
- Peer networks (doulas, faith groups, community collectives, and online forums that can reduce isolation)
- Access to mental health services (including therapy, peer groups, culturally responsive care, and medication when needed)
- Helpful perinatal health care professionals (clinicians who appropriately screen for, diagnose, and manage perinatal mood disorders)
What are the Warning Signs for Perinatal Suicide?
Being pregnant, birthing a baby, and living with a newborn can cause overwhelming changes to your daily life and routine. Watch for these symptoms in yourself or someone you know:
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
- Trouble sleeping (even when the baby is sleeping)
- Frequent crying (which may go unnoticed or unheard)
- Blaming yourself for things that are not your fault
- New or increased substance use
- Loss of interest in hobbies that you previously enjoyed
- Feeling hopeless, ashamed, defeated, or desperate
- Isolating yourself from others (ignoring texts, calls, or social events)
- Increased irritability or aggression
- Reaching out to others to say goodbye
- Giving away your possessions
If you experience any of the symptoms above, call your pregnancy care provider, therapist, family member, or friends to ask for help. Allow yourself to be honest about what you’re experiencing, so that you can receive the support that you need.
Self-Care Practices
If you’re not experiencing warning signs for perinatal suicide but still want to be proactive about your mental health, the following self-care practices can boost your mood, decrease stress, and improve your outlook on life:
- Rest and take naps when possible
- Eat nourishing foods and drink plenty of water
- Get fresh air daily, even if only for 10 minutes
- Try gentle movement, like stretching, yoga, or walking
- Practice deep breathing or short meditations
- Write in a journal to release feelings and track moods
- Limit negative media and spend time with positive voices
- Accept help when trusted people offer support
How Do I Check-in On a Loved One’s Mental Health?
If you’re the partner, family member, or friend of someone who’s pregnant or has an infant, you may notice warning signs. It’s normal to feel concerned for their well-being. Share your feelings with them and consider asking these questions (don’t worry about having the right words):
- What can I do to support you right now?
- How are you taking time for yourself?
- Can I sit with you and just listen to anything you want to share?
- Could I drop off a meal, help with laundry or dishes, or watch the baby while you take some time to shower or rest?
- How are you adapting to having (or expecting) a new baby (along with other children)?
Know the Resources in Your Community
Being aware of perinatal mood disorders and the risks for suicide is the first step. The second step is knowing what to do next. Here are some ways to find maternal mental health support:
- Make a crisis plan: Crisis hotlines that specialize in helping new moms can help you safety plan; save their
- numbers in your phone or keep them in a pocket in your most commonly used bag
- Get professional help: Your obstetric, primary care, and mental health providers can all be sources of help. You can also reach out to social services in your community.
- Seek out about mother-baby units: Some psychiatric care units allow mothers to receive treatment while keeping their babies close, reducing separation trauma. Find out if there’s a facility near you.
Contact U.S. National Hotlines (Available 24/7)
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Web: https://988helpline.org/
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- Call: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
- Text: HELP to 800-944-4773
- Text en Español 971-203-7773
- Web: https://postpartum.net/
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Call: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
- Text: START to 88788
- Web: https://www.thehotline.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline
Call: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
Web: https://www.samhsa.gov/
If you’re feeling lost while navigating parenthood, know that you are not alone. Help is only a call or text away. Your life matters, and your baby needs you. With the right support, hope and healing are possible.
