Page 1 of 299
(PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION)
QUESTION BANK WITH QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Exam
QUESTION: What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers? - ANSWER-21%
of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also experienced suicidal thoughts
QUESTION: Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths - ANSWER-One of the top 3
QUESTION: What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? - ANSWER-- shame
and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
QUESTION: What is the PSI motto? - ANSWER-You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with
help you will be well.
1
,Page 2 of 299
QUESTION: What is the term for mental health disorders that develop during pregnancy or
postpartum? - ANSWER-Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs)
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
QUESTION: Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? - ANSWER-Both! At 1-800-
9444773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: What is the definition of "perinatal"? - ANSWER-Anytime during pregnancy through
the first year postpartum
2
,Page 3 of 299
QUESTION: What percentage of new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few
weeks after the baby arrives? - ANSWER-80%
QUESTION: When do the baby blues typically peak? - ANSWER-Day 3-5 after delivery
QUESTION: How long do the baby blues typically last? - ANSWER-2 days to 2 weeks after
delivery
QUESTION: What are the symptoms of baby blues? - ANSWER-- tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
QUESTION: When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what should be
considered? - ANSWER-severity, onset, and duration
QUESTION: What is the DSM code for PPD? - ANSWER-Major Unipolar Depression (with
peripartum onset)
3
, Page 4 of 299
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? - ANSWER-1-2 in 1,000 mothers
4
(PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION)
QUESTION BANK WITH QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Exam
QUESTION: What is the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in mothers? - ANSWER-21%
of new mothers, 19.3% of whom also experienced suicidal thoughts
QUESTION: Suicide is the ____ leading causes of maternal deaths - ANSWER-One of the top 3
QUESTION: What are some obstacles to care for the perinatal population? - ANSWER-- shame
and fear
- provider misinformation
- cultural taboos
- provider accessibility
QUESTION: What is the PSI motto? - ANSWER-You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with
help you will be well.
1
,Page 2 of 299
QUESTION: What is the term for mental health disorders that develop during pregnancy or
postpartum? - ANSWER-Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs)
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
QUESTION: Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? - ANSWER-Both! At 1-800-
9444773. Remember it is not a crisis hotline.
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: What is the definition of "perinatal"? - ANSWER-Anytime during pregnancy through
the first year postpartum
2
,Page 3 of 299
QUESTION: What percentage of new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few
weeks after the baby arrives? - ANSWER-80%
QUESTION: When do the baby blues typically peak? - ANSWER-Day 3-5 after delivery
QUESTION: How long do the baby blues typically last? - ANSWER-2 days to 2 weeks after
delivery
QUESTION: What are the symptoms of baby blues? - ANSWER-- tearfulness
- lability
- reactivity
- exhaustion
- unrelated to stress or prior psychiatric hx
QUESTION: When making a determination between baby blues and PPD, what should be
considered? - ANSWER-severity, onset, and duration
QUESTION: What is the DSM code for PPD? - ANSWER-Major Unipolar Depression (with
peripartum onset)
3
, Page 4 of 299
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: 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
QUESTION: What is the prevalence of postpartum psychosis? - ANSWER-1-2 in 1,000 mothers
4
