PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH
CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM ACTUAL
2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS|LATEST
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
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
,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)
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
- recent major life stressor/event
- rapid weaning of breastfeeding
- unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
- ambivalence about parental role
- mothers of multiples
What is the physical factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - ANSWER--
genetic predisposition
- sensitivity to hormonal changes
What are some psychosocial factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - ANSWER-
- inadequate support
CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM ACTUAL
2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS|LATEST
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
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
,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)
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
- recent major life stressor/event
- rapid weaning of breastfeeding
- unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
- ambivalence about parental role
- mothers of multiples
What is the physical factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - ANSWER--
genetic predisposition
- sensitivity to hormonal changes
What are some psychosocial factors that affect the etiology of PMHDs? - ANSWER-
- inadequate support
