Suicidal Risks of Women During Pregnancy and after Delivery

Abstract

The article contains the review of studies on the suicidal risk during womens’ perinatal period (pregnancy, delivery, first year of child’s life). Aim. The analyze suicidal risk factors of womens’ perinatal period in the context of bio-socio-psychological approach. Results. The prevalence of suicidal ideas and actions during the perinatal period according to different studies is 4% to 30%. Biological factors of suicidal risk are mental health problems, a number of somatic problems, perinatal loss. Among socio-psychological factors are violence form an intimate partner and adverse childhood experience. Socio-demographic factors include low socio-economic status, immigration, substance use, lack of marital relationships, woman’s younger age, third trimester. Conclusion. Womens’ perinatal period is potentially traumatic. The described biological and socio-psychological risk factors dictate the need to identify women form risk groups, i.e. having mental health problems, chronical illnesses, interpersonal difficulties, especially combined with several stressful life events.