MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PREGNANCY-PUERPERAL CYCLE: PREVENTION AND INTERDISCIPLINARY CARE

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the importance of mental health care for women during the pregnancy–puerperal cycle, emphasizing prevention strategies and the relevance of interdisciplinary care throughout this period of intense physical, emotional, and social transformations. The methodology consisted of an integrative literature review carried out through searches in databases such as SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed, covering publications from 2015 to 2024. The selected studies addressed psychological, social, and clinical aspects related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as multidisciplinary care practices. The results showed that emotional changes are common during pregnancy and the puerperium and may develop into mental disorders such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and puerperal psychosis when not identified and treated early (Howard & Khalifeh, 2020; Prom et al., 2022). It was also observed that interdisciplinary teamwork — involving physicians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers — is essential to promote maternal and family well-being, strengthen the mother–baby bond, and ensure comprehensive assistance during prenatal and postnatal care. The inclusion of educational actions, support groups, and continuous psychological follow-up proved effective in the early detection of symptoms and in reducing psychosocial risk factors. It is concluded that prevention and interdisciplinary care in mental health during the pregnancy–puerperal cycle are fundamental to ensuring humanized, welcoming, and comprehensive assistance, contributing to maternal and child health promotion and strengthening public health policies aimed at women’s care.