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PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM
TEST STUDY GUIDE EXAM LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATED
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS A+ PASS GUARANTEED
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
What are the symptoms of baby blues? ......ANSWER......- tearfulness
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- 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
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8. Suicidality or thoughts of death
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
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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)
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
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM
TEST STUDY GUIDE EXAM LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATED
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS A+ PASS GUARANTEED
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
What are the symptoms of baby blues? ......ANSWER......- tearfulness
,2|Page
- 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
,3|Page
8. Suicidality or thoughts of death
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
, 4|Page
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)
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
