For most women, pregnancy and birth are a time for celebration. It can also be a time of significant change in their bodies, hormones, diet and sleep. These changes can worsen or bring on mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Between 10 and 20 percent of pregnant women and new mothers are affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth, but many of them are reluctant to report psychiatric symptoms, feeling shame and worry or thinking their symptoms are normal. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Verinder Sharma, a psychiatrist in St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Mental Health Program at Parkwood Institute. Dr. Sharma specializes in diagnosis, treatment and research of mood disorders and peripartum psychiatric illnesses.

Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcast is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break