1
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION
(PMH-C) EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) 2025
What are some services that Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers? -
(answer)- English & Spanish support
- Connecting to local support volunteers and resources
- "Chat with an Expert" phone forums
- Educational DVDs
- Online support groups
- Professional trainings and conferences
Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? - (answer)Both! At 1-800-
944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
What is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline? - (answer)A national
hotline for the perinatal population that offers support 24hr/365d. 1-833-TLC-
MAMA
What is the definition of "perinatal"? - (answer)Anytime during pregnancy
through the first year postpartum
What percentage of new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few
weeks after the baby arrives? - (answer)80%
When do the baby blues typically peak? - (answer)Day 3-5 after delivery
How long do the baby blues typically last? - (answer)2 days to 2 weeks after
delivery
, 2
What are the symptoms of baby blues? - (answer)- tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what should be
considered? - (answer)severity, onset, and duration
What is the DSM code for PPD? - (answer)Major Unipolar Depression (with
peripartum onset)
What is the DSM criteria for MDD? - (answer)SIGECAPS
Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same
two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least
one of the symptoms is either
0. Depressed mood
1. Sleep issues
2. Interest decreased
3. Guilt/worthlessness/hopelessness
4. Energy decreased
5. Concentration decreased
6. Appetite issues
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
8. Suicidality or thoughts of death
, 3
What is the prevalence of serious depression or anxiety developed during the
perinatal period (beyond just "baby blues")? - (answer)At least 1 in 7 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? - (answer)1-2 in 1,000
mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers? -
(answer)10% of new fathers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers? -
(answer)21% of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also experienced suicidal
thoughts
Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths - (answer)One of the top
3
What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? - (answer)-
shame and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
What is the PSI motto? - (answer)You are not alone, you are not to blame, and
with help you will be well.
What is the term for mental health disorders that develop during pregnancy or
postpartum? - (answer)Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs)
, 4
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health disorders
(PMHDs), when can their onset begin? - (answer)Anytime during or after
pregnancy, up to 1 year postpartum, including losses.
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" - (answer)They can, or they
can arise later.
What are some triggers for later onset of PMHDs? - (answer)- hormonal
triggers
- rapid weaning from breastfeeding
- hormonal birth control
- return to work
- illness or hospitalization
- loss and grief
What are risk factors for PMHDs? - (answer)- financial stress or poverty
- lack of social support
- marital stress
- IPV/history of abuse
- substance dependency in family
- poor relationship with own family
- history of depression, anxiety, OCD
- thyroid imbalance, diabetes, endocrine disorders
- PMS or PMDD
- pregnancy or delivery complications
- infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss
- mothers whose baby is in the NICU
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION
(PMH-C) EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) 2025
What are some services that Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers? -
(answer)- English & Spanish support
- Connecting to local support volunteers and resources
- "Chat with an Expert" phone forums
- Educational DVDs
- Online support groups
- Professional trainings and conferences
Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? - (answer)Both! At 1-800-
944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
What is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline? - (answer)A national
hotline for the perinatal population that offers support 24hr/365d. 1-833-TLC-
MAMA
What is the definition of "perinatal"? - (answer)Anytime during pregnancy
through the first year postpartum
What percentage of new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few
weeks after the baby arrives? - (answer)80%
When do the baby blues typically peak? - (answer)Day 3-5 after delivery
How long do the baby blues typically last? - (answer)2 days to 2 weeks after
delivery
, 2
What are the symptoms of baby blues? - (answer)- tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what should be
considered? - (answer)severity, onset, and duration
What is the DSM code for PPD? - (answer)Major Unipolar Depression (with
peripartum onset)
What is the DSM criteria for MDD? - (answer)SIGECAPS
Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same
two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least
one of the symptoms is either
0. Depressed mood
1. Sleep issues
2. Interest decreased
3. Guilt/worthlessness/hopelessness
4. Energy decreased
5. Concentration decreased
6. Appetite issues
7. Psychomotor agitation or retardation
8. Suicidality or thoughts of death
, 3
What is the prevalence of serious depression or anxiety developed during the
perinatal period (beyond just "baby blues")? - (answer)At least 1 in 7 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? - (answer)1-2 in 1,000
mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers? -
(answer)10% of new fathers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers? -
(answer)21% of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also experienced suicidal
thoughts
Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths - (answer)One of the top
3
What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? - (answer)-
shame and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
What is the PSI motto? - (answer)You are not alone, you are not to blame, and
with help you will be well.
What is the term for mental health disorders that develop during pregnancy or
postpartum? - (answer)Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs)
, 4
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health disorders
(PMHDs), when can their onset begin? - (answer)Anytime during or after
pregnancy, up to 1 year postpartum, including losses.
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" - (answer)They can, or they
can arise later.
What are some triggers for later onset of PMHDs? - (answer)- hormonal
triggers
- rapid weaning from breastfeeding
- hormonal birth control
- return to work
- illness or hospitalization
- loss and grief
What are risk factors for PMHDs? - (answer)- financial stress or poverty
- lack of social support
- marital stress
- IPV/history of abuse
- substance dependency in family
- poor relationship with own family
- history of depression, anxiety, OCD
- thyroid imbalance, diabetes, endocrine disorders
- PMS or PMDD
- pregnancy or delivery complications
- infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss
- mothers whose baby is in the NICU
