ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE DURING PREGNANCY AND THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD IN PRIMARY CARE

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ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the mental healthcare actions provided by Primary Health Care professionals to women during the pregnancy-postpartum period in a municipality in the Central-South region of Paraná, Brazil. Method: This qualitative evaluative study was conducted with 15 postpartum women. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, administration of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and documentary analysis of medical records. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and thematic content analysis. Results: A high frequency of psychological distress during the pregnancy-postpartum period was identified, contrasting with the absence of mental health records in medical charts and the scarcity of guidance and emotional support during prenatal and postpartum care. Care was shown to be centered on the biomedical model, with low nursing participation and limited use of qualified listening and psychosocial support strategies. Conclusion: The findings reveal structural weaknesses in maternal mental healthcare within PHC, highlighting gaps in care and discontinuity of assistance. The need to improve professional practice, incorporate screening practices, and strengthen comprehensive care models capable of addressing women’s emotional needs during the pregnancy-postpartum period is emphasized.

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