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Journals / Kıbrıs Türk Psikiyatri ve Psikoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 3

Mental Health Challenges During the Perinatal Period and Preventive Midwifery Approaches

Perinatal Dönemde Ruh Sağlığı Güçlükleri ve Koruyucu Ebelik Yaklaşımları

Buse Alış(SİNOP ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-3895-2870
Vildan Balcı0009-0002-8183-8835
Gözde Gökçe İşbir(MERSİN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İÇEL SAĞLIK YÜKSEKOKULU)0000-0003-0101-0641
Pages
339–346
Publication Date
2026-09-09
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings indicate that the most common perinatal mental health problems are anxiety, depression, fear of childbirth, and birth-related trauma.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This narrative review aims to examine mental health problems observed during the perinatal period and to evaluate the preventive roles of midwives.
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Key Findings & Data:A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, TR Index, and Google Scholar for English and Turkish studies published between January 2010 and October 2025.
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Conclusion & Impact:Findings indicate that the most common perinatal mental health problems are anxiety, depression, fear of childbirth, and birth-related trauma.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2010 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Ruh Sağlığı · perinatal dönem · iyilik hali

Abstract

This narrative review aims to examine mental health problems observed during the perinatal period and to evaluate the preventive roles of midwives. The perinatal period is a critical transitional phase characterized by intense biological, psychological, and social changes, during which emerging mental health problems affect both maternal and infant outcomes. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, TR Index, and Google Scholar for English and Turkish studies published between January 2010 and October 2025. A total of 50 peer-reviewed studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that the most common perinatal mental health problems are anxiety, depression, fear of childbirth, and birth-related trauma. An increasing trend in the prevalence of these conditions has been observed in the post-pandemic period. Evidence highlights that woman-centered and continuity-based midwifery models play a critical role in early risk identification, provision of psychosocial support, and appropriate referral processes. However, significant gaps remain in midwives’ mental health literacy, the standardized use of screening tools, and referral systems. In conclusion, integrating mental health–sensitive midwifery practices into routine maternal healthcare, supported by structured screening–referral–follow-up mechanisms, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthened education programs, can lead to sustainable improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Özet

Bu anlatısal derleme, perinatal dönemde görülen ruh sağlığı sorunlarını incelemeyi ve ebelerin koruyucu rollerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Perinatal dönem, kadınların yoğun biyolojik, psikolojik ve sosyal değişimler yaşadığı kritik bir geçiş sürecidir ve bu süreçte ortaya çıkan ruh sağlığı sorunları hem anne hem de bebek sağlığını etkilemektedir. Ocak 2010–Ekim 2025 tarihleri arasında PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, TR Index ve Google Scholar veritabanlarında yayımlanan İngilizce ve Türkçe çalışmalar taranmış, dahil edilme kriterlerini karşılayan 50 hakemli çalışma tematik analiz ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, perinatal dönemde en sık görülen ruh sağlığı sorunlarının anksiyete, depresyon, doğum korkusu ve doğumla ilişkili travma olduğunu göstermektedir. Pandemi sonrası dönemde bu sorunların prevalansında artış eğilimi dikkat çekmektedir. Kanıtlar, kadın merkezli ve bakımın sürekliliğine dayalı ebelik modellerinin erken risk belirleme, psikososyal destek sağlama ve uygun yönlendirme süreçlerinde kritik bir rol oynadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bununla birlikte, ebelerin ruh sağlığı okuryazarlığı, standart tarama araçlarının kullanımı ve yönlendirme sistemlerinde önemli eksiklikler bulunmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, perinatal ruh sağlığına duyarlı ebelik uygulamalarının rutin anne sağlığı hizmetlerine entegrasyonu; yapılandırılmış tarama–sevk–takip mekanizmaları, disiplinler arası iş birliği ve güçlendirilmiş eğitim programları ile desteklendiğinde, anne ve bebek sağlığı üzerinde sürdürülebilir iyileşmeler sağlayabilir.

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Cite This Article

Alış, B., Balcı, V., İşbir, G. G. (2026). Mental Health Challenges During the Perinatal Period and Preventive Midwifery Approaches. Kıbrıs Türk Psikiyatri ve Psikoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 3, 339–346. https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.26.3.13

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