Maternal Mental Health: The importance of psychological support during pregnancy and postpartum within the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the importance of psychological support during pregnancy and the postpartum period and to observe the increased risk of mental health problems among pregnant and postpartum women. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are very important moments in the lives of some women, marked by various physical and emotional changes. Although these moments are associated with the idea of ​​happiness, they can also involve significant psychological vulnerabilities. According to Campos and Féres-Carneiro (2021), "Pregnancy is seen as a critical phase of transition, which can generate a temporary state of emotional instability due to changes in the woman's social role and identity, as well as the interpersonal and intrapsychic adaptations she needs to make." Therefore, prenatal psychological care is necessary for these women, since they are more susceptible to experiencing mood swings. Lopes and Piovan (2023) "highlight that the goal of PNP is to facilitate 'healthy relationships between mother and baby'." This preventative work offers an essential counterpoint to the stress generated by the "contemporary maternal ideal" (the perfect mother) described by Cunha et al. (2020). Therefore, psychological support emerges as a complement to traditional prenatal care and presents itself as a strategy for promoting and preventing mental health issues, especially within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), in order to make this process more humane and offer emotional support to pregnant and postpartum women. This study is characterized as qualitative research, of the bibliographic review type, which aims to gather, analyze, and discuss scientific productions about psychological support during pregnancy and the postpartum period, with an emphasis on the prevention and promotion of the mental health of these women-mothers.