1 | Page
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-
C) Exam Questions and Correct Answers
What are some services that Postpartum Support International
(PSI) offers? Ans: — - 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? Ans: — Both! At
1-800-944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
What is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline? Ans: — A
national hotline for the perinatal population that offers support
24hr/365d. 1-833-TLC-MAMA
What is the definition of "perinatal"? Ans: — 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? Ans: — 80%
When do the baby blues typically peak? Ans: — Day 3-5 after
delivery
How long do the baby blues typically last? Ans: — 2 days to 2
weeks after delivery
What are the symptoms of baby blues? Ans: — - tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
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When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what
should be considered? Ans: — severity, onset, and duration
What is the DSM code for PPD? Ans: — Major Unipolar Depression
(with peripartum onset)
What is the DSM criteria for MDD? Ans: — 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")? Ans: — At
least 1 in 7 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? Ans: — 1-2 in
1,000 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers?
Ans: — 10% of new fathers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in
mothers? Ans: — 21% of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also
experienced suicidal thoughts
Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths Ans: — One
of the top 3
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What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? Ans:
— - shame and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
What is the PSI motto? Ans: — 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? Ans: — Perinatal Mental Health
Disorders (PMHDs)
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health
disorders (PMHDs), when can their onset begin? Ans: — Anytime
during or after pregnancy, up to 1 year postpartum, including
losses.
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" Ans: — They can,
or they can arise later.
What are some triggers for later onset of PMHDs? Ans: — -
hormonal triggers
- rapid weaning from breastfeeding
- hormonal birth control
- return to work
- illness or hospitalization
- loss and grief
What are risk factors for PMHDs? Ans: — - financial stress or
poverty
- lack of social support
- marital stress
- IPV/history of abuse
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
- 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?
Ans: — - genetic predisposition
- sensitivity to hormonal changes
What are some psychosocial factors that affect the etiology of
PMHDs? Ans: — - inadequate support
- perfectionism, superwoman mentality
What are some concurrent stressors that affect the etiology of
PMHDs? Ans: — - sleep disruption
- poor nutrition
- health challenges
- interpersonal stress
- cultural stress/barriers
© 2025 All rights reserved
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-
C) Exam Questions and Correct Answers
What are some services that Postpartum Support International
(PSI) offers? Ans: — - 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? Ans: — Both! At
1-800-944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
What is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline? Ans: — A
national hotline for the perinatal population that offers support
24hr/365d. 1-833-TLC-MAMA
What is the definition of "perinatal"? Ans: — 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? Ans: — 80%
When do the baby blues typically peak? Ans: — Day 3-5 after
delivery
How long do the baby blues typically last? Ans: — 2 days to 2
weeks after delivery
What are the symptoms of baby blues? Ans: — - tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what
should be considered? Ans: — severity, onset, and duration
What is the DSM code for PPD? Ans: — Major Unipolar Depression
(with peripartum onset)
What is the DSM criteria for MDD? Ans: — 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")? Ans: — At
least 1 in 7 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? Ans: — 1-2 in
1,000 mothers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in fathers?
Ans: — 10% of new fathers
What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in
mothers? Ans: — 21% of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also
experienced suicidal thoughts
Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths Ans: — One
of the top 3
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? Ans:
— - shame and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
What is the PSI motto? Ans: — 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? Ans: — Perinatal Mental Health
Disorders (PMHDs)
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health
disorders (PMHDs), when can their onset begin? Ans: — Anytime
during or after pregnancy, up to 1 year postpartum, including
losses.
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" Ans: — They can,
or they can arise later.
What are some triggers for later onset of PMHDs? Ans: — -
hormonal triggers
- rapid weaning from breastfeeding
- hormonal birth control
- return to work
- illness or hospitalization
- loss and grief
What are risk factors for PMHDs? Ans: — - financial stress or
poverty
- lack of social support
- marital stress
- IPV/history of abuse
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
- 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?
Ans: — - genetic predisposition
- sensitivity to hormonal changes
What are some psychosocial factors that affect the etiology of
PMHDs? Ans: — - inadequate support
- perfectionism, superwoman mentality
What are some concurrent stressors that affect the etiology of
PMHDs? Ans: — - sleep disruption
- poor nutrition
- health challenges
- interpersonal stress
- cultural stress/barriers
© 2025 All rights reserved
