Biopsychosocial factors during the perinatal period: Risks, preventative factors, and implications for healthcare professionals

Women face risks to their wellbeing during the perinatal period of pregnancy. However, there is a dearth of information on perinatal risk factors within the biopsychosocial paradigm. Emphasis is often placed on biological components associated with pregnancy and women’s health. However, psychological and social determinants of health are integral during the perinatal period, and mental wellness is often a determinant for positive maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This article reviews risk factors of perinatal wellness (e.g., physical and nutritional concerns, trauma, discrimination, adverse childhood events) and highlights protective factors for women in their perinatal period. Healthcare professionals can support perinatal health by focusing on culturally and contextually appropriate research and prevention, providing equal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services, providing quality education and training for helping professionals, and supporting policies for positive sexual and reproductive women’s healthcare.