Why Perinatal Strategic Planning matters?

When we talk about maternal mental health, the conversation often turns to stigma, fear of medication, and the tug-of-war between doing what feels right and what science says is safe. 

But what if we could take the guesswork and the fear out of the process?

Perinatal Strategic Planning (PSP) is the answer. It’s not just a framework; it’s a lifeline for mothers navigating pregnancy and postpartum with mental health conditions and for the professionals who support them.

PSP is the foundation for informed, evidence-based decisions throughout the perinatal period. It’s not just about knowing what to talk about it’s about understanding when, how, and with whom these conversations should happen.

Yes, PSP includes risk analysis. But more than that, it offers a structured, compassionate approach to care that:

• Honours the dynamic nature of pregnancy
• Acknowledges the complexity of mental health
• Builds trust between women and healthcare providers
• Respects maternal autonomy through shared decision-making
  
  

It’s a proven, practical method to ensure both mother and baby thrive.

Why we can’t afford to ignore it?

More than 80% of pregnant women with psychiatric conditions go untreated.

Why? Fear. Especially around medication. Too often, psychiatric medications are abruptly discontinued leaving women vulnerable despite clear evidence that untreated maternal mental illness poses serious risks to birth outcomes, infant development, and long-term maternal health.

PSP changes that. It becomes the gateway to clarity, offering a plan rooted in current research, clinical wisdom, and real-world experience.

The 10 core components of PSP

Here’s what every provider—and every mother—needs to know:

1. Build a trust-based relationship. All good decisions begin here.
2. Keep the dyad in focus. Mom and baby are both part of the picture.
3. Consider children at home. Pregnancy impacts the whole family system.
4. Don’t stop meds without strategy. Doing nothing is also a decision with its own risks.
   
5. Perform a balanced risk analysis. Medication vs. illness: weigh both sides.
6. Acknowledge that risk is always present. There’s no such thing as a risk-free pregnancy.
7. Avoid bias. Psychiatric meds often get a harsher judgment, don’t let that cloud the facts.
8. Understand the data. Research often has limitations, know what applies and what doesn’t.
9. Tailor to the individual. Each woman’s biological, psychological, and social context matters.
10. Review often. Pregnancy evolves, so must the plan.
    
    

That’s why I’ve created a on-demand Perinatal Strategic Planning Masterclass. It’s designed for healthcare professionals who want to deliver informed, confident, and compassionate care to mothers during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

Whether you're a psychiatrist, obstetrician, GP, midwife, or mental health clinician, this masterclass will transform how you engage with pregnant and postpartum women.

Informed care saves lives. Shared decision-making builds confidence. And structured planning ensures no woman has to walk this journey alone or untreated.

Join me and learn how to put PSP into practice.