Mother and baby : intertwined mental health and development

Abstract

Pregnancy and childbirth are often associated with joyful expectation and fulfilment. However, the perinatal period can also lead to maternal stress. This, in turn, can be related to negative effects on the newborn baby, both in the short and long term. In support of this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe Task Force recommended promoting maternal mental health to enhance early childhood development. Moreover, WHO Europe recommends a healthy environment during the perinatal period to achieve a healthy infancy, childhood and adulthood.