5 Mental Health Questions to ask Every Expecting or Postpartum Mother

When it comes to mental health care, many mothers in Kentucky aren't receiving the support they need. Standard screening tools like the EPDS often miss early signs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. When providing care for pregnant and postpartum mothers, it is important to ask specific questions below to help uncover concerns that routine screenings might overlook:

How are you feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally?

Do you feel supported at home?

Are you getting rest, and how many hours of sleep are you getting?

It is common for some mothers to feel guilty or overwhelmed. Have you experienced either of these feelings?

Are you feeling confident in this stage of motherhood?

Questions like these create space for patients to share experiences they've had with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorder, or difficulty bonding. Through these conversations, you'll be able to determine if additional resources are needed.

When a patient requires additional support, KyCOMPASS is here to help. KyCOMPASS offers access to licensed reproductive psychiatrists, evidence-based care plans, medication guidance, screening tool interpretation support, and vetted referrals. Our clinician-to-clinician model will strengthen your ability to provide individualized care.

You deserve a trusted resource that helps you identify needs early and connect families to the proper support. Register with KyCOMPASS today to have better outcomes for all of your pregnant and postpartum patients.