/////…/.//,.,./.,./.,..,..//…,,…..,,,,,..////.,.,.,[]][‘;@@@2../././/…../////…/;;;.//
PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health
Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027 |
Complete Study Guide | Practice
Questions, Answer Explanations & PSI
Certification Review
Theories of etiology
biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulnerability (prior diagnosis),
psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social support/racism)
Baby Blues
Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep deprivation. lasts 2 days to 2
weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reactivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem
remains unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care strategies.
How to determine is it blues or depression
severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
Prevalence of postpartum anxiety
8-20%
,/////…/.//,.,./.,./.,..,..//…,,…..,,,,,..////.,.,.,[]][‘;@@@2../././/…../////…/;;;.//
Prevalence of prenatal anxiety
15%
Prevalence of postpartum depression
21%
Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder
11%
Prevalence of postpartum OCD
11%
Prevalence of postpartum PTSD
9%
Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds
70%
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
1-2 out of 1,000
, /////…/.//,.,./.,./.,..,..//…,,…..,,,,,..////.,.,.,[]][‘;@@@2../././/…../////…/;;;.//
Prevalence of PPD in fathers
10%
Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder
20-30%
Traits of OCD
recognizes that thoughts are unhealthy, extreme anxiety related to thoughts/images, concerned
about "snapping". parent does not want to harm the baby, thoughts are frightening.
Traits of psychosis
does not recognize actions/thoughts are unhealthy, may seem to have less anxiety when
indulging in thoughts/behaviors, no insight about distortion of thoughts, parent has delusional
beliefs about the baby, thoughts of harming the baby are ego-syntonic
Traits of PTSD
intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, arousal (sleep
disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigilance)
maternal mortality-all women
1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health
Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027 |
Complete Study Guide | Practice
Questions, Answer Explanations & PSI
Certification Review
Theories of etiology
biological sensitivities to hormone changes (sleep), genetic vulnerability (prior diagnosis),
psychological (identity), social/environmental (poor social support/racism)
Baby Blues
Affects 60-80% new mothers. Due to hormone changes and sleep deprivation. lasts 2 days to 2
weeks. Tearful, labile affect, reactivity, exhaustion BUT predominately happy, self-esteem
remains unchanged. Resolves without intervention. Recommend self care strategies.
How to determine is it blues or depression
severity, intensity, duration of symptoms
Prevalence of postpartum anxiety
8-20%
,/////…/.//,.,./.,./.,..,..//…,,…..,,,,,..////.,.,.,[]][‘;@@@2../././/…../////…/;;;.//
Prevalence of prenatal anxiety
15%
Prevalence of postpartum depression
21%
Prevalence of postpartum panic disorder
11%
Prevalence of postpartum OCD
11%
Prevalence of postpartum PTSD
9%
Percentage of bipolar symptoms that relapse w/o meds
70%
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
1-2 out of 1,000
, /////…/.//,.,./.,./.,..,..//…,,…..,,,,,..////.,.,.,[]][‘;@@@2../././/…../////…/;;;.//
Prevalence of PPD in fathers
10%
Prevalence psychosis in women with known bipolar disorder
20-30%
Traits of OCD
recognizes that thoughts are unhealthy, extreme anxiety related to thoughts/images, concerned
about "snapping". parent does not want to harm the baby, thoughts are frightening.
Traits of psychosis
does not recognize actions/thoughts are unhealthy, may seem to have less anxiety when
indulging in thoughts/behaviors, no insight about distortion of thoughts, parent has delusional
beliefs about the baby, thoughts of harming the baby are ego-syntonic
Traits of PTSD
intrusive thoughts (flashbacks), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, arousal (sleep
disturbance, poor concentration, aggression, hyper vigilance)
maternal mortality-all women
1,200 a year or 14.4 per 100,000
