Perinatal Psychiatry

Pregnancy and new parenthood are life-changing — and for many women they bring real mental health challenges that deserve expert, reassuring care. Perinatal psychiatry covers mental health before conception, through pregnancy, and after birth, with special attention to keeping both mother and baby safe. Dr. Anindo Mitra (MBBS, MD Psychiatry, JIPMER), who completed supervised training under an author of the Indian Psychiatric Society's perinatal psychiatry guidelines, provides this care in-person in Gurugram and online across India.

Who this is for

This page is for women who are:

  • Planning a pregnancy and want to review their mental health or medication first (preconception planning).
  • Pregnant and experiencing anxiety, low mood, or a flare of an existing condition — or wondering whether their medication is safe.
  • Recently delivered and struggling with mood, anxiety, sleep, or frightening thoughts.
  • Living with an existing condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, or a psychotic disorder, and navigating it around pregnancy.

Partners and families seeking help for a loved one are also welcome.

Why the perinatal period needs specialist care

Pregnancy and the postpartum period change how the body handles medication, alter the risks and benefits of treatment, and are themselves times of higher vulnerability to mental illness — the postpartum period especially. Decisions here are rarely "medication or no medication"; they are careful balances that must weigh the risks of untreated illness (which are real, for both mother and baby) against the risks of treatment. Getting this balance right, with precise and reassuring guidance, is the heart of perinatal psychiatry.

The stages of perinatal care

Each stage is considered separately, because the right approach differs:

  • Preconception planning. The best time to review medication and mental health is before pregnancy — choosing the safest effective treatment and stabilising things in advance. See Psychiatric Medication Review.
  • During pregnancy. Managing new or existing conditions with attention to each trimester, and to medication safety, monitoring, and support.
  • Postpartum. Recognising and treating perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, and — the most urgent — postpartum psychosis, a medical emergency.
  • Breastfeeding. Balancing treatment with breastfeeding, where many medications can be managed thoughtfully rather than being an automatic reason to stop either.

A safety-first, reassuring approach

The aim is always to protect both mother and baby, using the best available evidence. That means being precise about what is and is not known, avoiding both under-treatment and unnecessary alarm, and involving you fully in every decision. Untreated perinatal mental illness carries its own risks, so "doing nothing" is not automatically the safe option — the right, individualised plan is.

In-person in Gurugram and online across India

Available in-person at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram, and online across India via Zoom or Google Meet, in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. Online care is often convenient in pregnancy and the early postpartum weeks; acute situations may need in-person or emergency assessment.

Safety and urgent help

Some perinatal conditions are emergencies. If a new mother shows confusion, severe agitation, is out of touch with reality, or has thoughts of harming herself or the baby, treat it as urgent — contact emergency services, go to the nearest hospital, or call Tele-MANAS on 14416 immediately. This page is educational and does not replace an individual consultation.

Book a consultation

See fees · perinatal depression · perinatal anxiety · postpartum psychosis

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to take psychiatric medication during pregnancy? It depends on the specific medication and your situation. Many can be managed safely, some are changed, and untreated illness carries its own risks. The safest plan is individual and best made with expert guidance, ideally before conception.

I'm planning a pregnancy and take medication — what should I do? Arrange a preconception review before trying to conceive. This is the ideal time to choose the safest effective treatment and stabilise things, rather than making rushed changes later.

Should I stop my medication as soon as I find out I'm pregnant? Not on your own. Stopping abruptly can cause relapse, which itself is risky in pregnancy. Contact your psychiatrist promptly so any change is planned safely.

Can I breastfeed while on psychiatric medication? Often yes, with the right choice of medication and monitoring. Breastfeeding and treatment are balanced thoughtfully rather than one being automatically ruled out.

Can perinatal psychiatry be done online? Yes, much of it, which is convenient during pregnancy and the early weeks with a newborn. Emergencies such as suspected postpartum psychosis need urgent in-person care.