Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on Perinatal Well-Being Across the Perinatal Period

OBJECTIVE: Perinatal well-being (PWB) is holistic, multifaceted, and more than the absence or low levels of adverse physical, emotional, and mental elements. Little is known about the understanding of perinatal well-being (WB) by perinatal healthcare professionals (HCPs). The objectives were twofold: (a) to explore what perinatal HCPs understand by PWB and (b) to explore what they perceive influences PWB. METHODS: Nine UK-based HCPs ( n = 4 health visitors, n = 4 perinatal mental health clinicians, n = 1 midwife, and n = 1 General Practitioner) caring for women during the perinatal period completed an online qualitative survey relating to PWB. Participants also ranked factors which may potentially influence PWB. RESULTS: Four overarching themes were developed from the qualitative responses encompassing different aspects of PWB including the context of women’s WB, the dynamic nature of this period, and the role of HCPs. They also characterized the period as a uniquely stressful and risky time. CONCLUSIONS: HCPs predominantly described physical and mental elements when discussing PWB. Some did mention the importance of financial, spiritual, and relational elements. The predominant focus on physical and mental aspects of WB may reflect the biomedical model underpinning perinatal/maternity care provision. The pros, cons, and implications of a move toward a more WB-focused approach within policy and practice are an area for future research.