The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Perinatal Mental Health
Imagine you are trying to juggle feeding, changing, and helping your baby with sleep, while somehow squeezing in a shower, snack, cleaning the house, and…is there even time for rest? The transition to parenthood can feel challenging and downright chaotic at times. It has often been said, parenting doesn’t come with a manual. Although it’s true, Occupational Therapy can help you put together your own personal manual according to your family’s needs and values. This in turn can address and prevent mental health concerns that arise in pregnancy and postpartum. So…what exactly is Occupational Therapy?
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) explains that “Occupational Therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation” through its focus on roles, routines, and daily tasks you want and need to complete (AOTA, 2024). These daily, meaningful activities are known as “occupations,” hence the term, “Occupational” Therapy, or OT. Occupational Therapists working in perinatal healthcare often incorporate mental health into their practice. When addressing mental health challenges, Occupational Therapists understand the connection between a parent, their child(ren), family, and community. Interventions are formed with this in mind. The individual and their concerns are addressed from a holistic perspective, considering all aspects that impact mental health and well-being. Sometimes parents may think of mental health as simply incorporating self-care into their routine, however, it is more than self-care that contributes to mental health. As Jessica, co-founder of Matrescence OT shares, “Occupational Therapy can help individuals understand that mental health = occupational balance (e.g. balancing the mental load, daily tasks, routines, and self-care).”
How Does Occupational Therapy Support Perinatal Mental Health?
Occupational Therapy can support perinatal mental health directly, indirectly, or as is often the case, both. Occupational Therapists work with parents individually, as well as in group settings. In either setting, interventions are tailored to meet the needs of the individual(s). The overall goal of an Occupational Therapist working in perinatal health is to empower parents. This can have a positive impact on increasing confidence and reducing anxiety.
Occupational Therapists Prepare Parents for the Challenges of Parenthood.
Before an infant arrives, Occupational Therapists can collaborate with parents to prepare their environment and plan for their family’s transition to postpartum. This is preventative mental health intervention, as potential issues can be addressed before they impact daily functioning. For example, OTs can help parents develop a postpartum sleep plan, as there is a strong link between sleep and mental health (Scott et al., 2021). Additionally, OTs can help parents prepare for the coordination of managing new and existing responsibilities. They collaborate with parents to establish an overall postpartum plan to include the “who, what, when, and how.” Who is available to help? What help can they provide? When and at what frequency? From a practical perspective, how to put all the pieces together into one cohesive plan.
Occupational Therapists Help Parents Adjust to New Responsibilities and Routines.
Occupational Therapists offer collaborative problem-solving to address concerns and issues that arise, related to new routines and responsibilities. If a parent is feeling overwhelmed by their current routine, Occupational Therapists can collaborate with the parent to establish a new routine that improves well-being. For example, if a parent is trying to balance pumping and supplemental infant feedings, while simultaneously adjusting to a new sleep schedule, an Occupational Therapist can offer practical solutions to create an effective routine that addresses the specific needs of the parent and family. Additionally, should concerns arise related to infant milestones and development, OTs often have additional education and training to assess and address these concerns.
Occupational Therapists Have Specialized Knowledge of Sensory Processing.
Occupational therapists have specialized training in sensory processing, meaning they have a unique understanding of how the sensory systems of the body and brain impact behavior. What does this look like? It is probably not too hard to imagine feeling overwhelmed in the postpartum period, adjusting to the many noises of a newborn as well as organizing all their care items. These sensations often impact our functioning in ways seldom considered. Occupational Therapists can help identify triggers (e.g. infant crying, clutter, etc.) and their impact on mood and behavior, such as irritability and decreased frustration tolerance. Additionally, Occupational Therapists understand how to support co-regulation between a parent/caregiver and an infant, to support positive outcomes such as improved sleep and parent-infant bonding. Occupational Therapists recognize that co-regulation begins with the regulation of the parent. The parent’s ability to regulate their emotions and behaviors has a direct impact on their infant’s regulation. In other words, it is challenging to calm an infant when you are highly stressed, anxious, or upset.
Occupational Therapists Have an Educational Background in Mental Health.
Occupational Therapists working in the field of mental health recognize the symptoms of various mental health conditions and collaborate with other mental health professionals to provide appropriate care. OTs may provide coping strategies and practical ways to incorporate them into a person’s daily routine to improve functioning. Occupational Therapists working with parents may have additional training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). This additional training can lead to earlier identification and treatment of PMADs in collaboration with other healthcare providers. Occupational Therapists may also have training in trauma-informed care, which allows for a greater understanding of the neurobiological roots of trauma and its impact on function.
Occupational Therapists Can Foster Connections and Community.
Occupational Therapists working in maternal health may offer parent and parent/infant groups to encourage connection between groups of parents. Social support in the perinatal period can mitigate mental health challenges (Bedaso et al., 2021). Connecting with parents who share similar experiences can have a significant impact on mental health for a variety of reasons. Parents understand they are not alone, they may feel validated in their experiences, and they may receive resources from other parents within the group.
Putting it All Together
Occupational Therapy can make a positive impact on perinatal mental health. If you feel Perinatal and Maternal Occupational Therapy services may be helpful for you or someone you know, search the PSI Directory to locate a provider in your area. It should be noted that Perinatal Occupational Therapy is an emerging practice area of Occupational Therapy so services may vary based on location.
Special thanks to Born to Bloom, Hennepin Healthcare, Matrescence OT, and Wild OT for their contributions to this article.
For more information on the unique role of Occupational Therapy and perinatal health, please visit www.maternalhealthot.org. This website was founded by Hayley Chrząstowski, OTD, OTR/L, CEIM, Jessica Peterson, OTD, OTR, CLC, PMH-C, CEIM, Gayle Schwee, MOT, OTR, PMH-C, and Libby Skolnik, MS, OTR/L, CEIM.
Additionally, if you are interested in seeking Occupational Therapy services, please visit www.psidirectory.com.
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2024). What is Occupational Therapy? AOTA. https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot
Bedaso, A., Adams, J., Peng, W., & Sibbritt, D. (2021). The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive Health 18, 162 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01209-5
Scott, A. J., Webb, T. L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101556
About the Authors
Theresa Rice, OTR/L, OTD
Theresa Rice, OTR/L, OTD is a mom and has over a decade of experience in occupational therapy. She is an advocate for perinatal mental health and co-runs the Instagram account @vc_mommies with her occupational therapist friend and colleague Leah Downey. She enjoys writing, crafting, and hiking in her spare time.
Leah Downey, OTR/L
Leah Downey, OTR/L is a midwestern mom and occupational therapist. She has been working with children and families for the last 13 years at a pediatric outpatient clinic. She started the @vc_mommies Instagram page with fellow OT Theresa, to help parents find community in postpartum. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree and enjoys reading, writing, and knitting in any free time she can find.
