Table 3.

Actionable Suggestions from Participants for Future Improvements to Care of Women in the Perinatal Period.

Mother and Family	• Create personal “precautionary” plans and networks for mental health support in the preconception and early pregnancy period, in case they are needed • Brainstorm “easy” methods that enhance coping and resilience and ask your network of family and friends to support you in your use of these strategies
Healthcare Providers	• Talk early and often to pregnant and parenting women about mental health (without relying solely on screening tools), including in pre-conception and early pregnancy • Create a community-based and interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care, including midwives, physicians, doulas, community workers, navigators, and perinatal social workers • Facilitate easier access to perinatal-trained mental health workers, such as using navigators to assist women to connect with an appropriate provider
Healthcare Systems	• Take notes from other countries that are more successful with perinatal care • Create a system that supports relationship between pregnant/parenting women and providers, rather than being focused on reimbursement and risk mitigation