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Pregnancy and the first year after birth can bring major physical, emotional and practical changes. For people with intellectual disabilities, these changes may occur alongside communication barriers, fragmented services, inaccessible information, stigma, or assumptions about parenting.
A new study adds evidence that perinatal mental-health systems need to be accessible, coordinated and responsive to individual needs.
Published October 7, 2026, the Australian data-linkage study included 30,257 people discharged from New South Wales hospitals after a live singleton birth between 2002 and 2017. Of those, 2,262 had an intellectual disability.
Researchers examined mental-health service use from 140 days before birth through one year after birth.
Across the perinatal period, people with intellectual disabilities had higher rates of mental-health emergency-department visits, hospital admissions, ambulatory mental-health contacts and government-subsidized mental-health service contacts compared with people without intellectual disabilities. Mood disorders and anxiety, stress-related and somatoform disorders were among the commonly recorded diagnoses.
These findings describe patterns of healthcare use in a population. They do not show that intellectual disability caused a particular mental-health condition, nor can they predict an individual person’s experience. The study was conducted in one Australian state and included births from 2002 through 2017, so healthcare systems and practices may differ in the United States today.
Still, the findings highlight an important consideration: people with intellectual disabilities may have significant perinatal mental-health needs and healthcare systems need to be prepared to respond in ways that are accessible and respectful.
Accessible care begins before a crisis.
Intake forms, screening questions, appointment instructions and safety plans should be provided in formats the patient can understand and use. Depending on the person’s preferences and communication needs, this may mean slowing the pace of a conversation, explaining one idea at a time, avoiding unexplained medical terms, using visual or communication supports, or checking understanding without being condescending.
Accessibility also means speaking directly to the patient.
A family member or other trusted supporter may provide valuable information and practical assistance, but should not automatically become the primary voice in healthcare conversations. Whenever possible, ask the patient whom they want involved, what information they want shared and how that person can support them.
Changes in behavior or functioning should not automatically be attributed to intellectual disability.
New withdrawal, sleep disruption, fear, irritability, loss of interest, changes in daily functioning, or expressions of hopelessness may warrant further attention. These changes can have many possible causes, including physical health conditions, pain, medication effects, sleep deprivation, environmental stress, or a mental-health concern.
A qualified healthcare professional should evaluate significant or persistent changes rather than assuming they are simply part of a person’s disability.
Perinatal care can involve many different professionals and services, including primary care, obstetric care, hospitals, mental-health providers, disability services and home-support providers.
Transitions between these services can create opportunities for important information to be missed.
A simple written care plan can help keep everyone on the same page. Depending on the individual’s needs and preferences, it might include:
The plan should be created with the patient and updated when their preferences or circumstances change.
Families and supporters can help encourage accessible, coordinated care by asking:
These questions can help make the patient’s preferences part of the care process.
Practical support can sometimes reduce day-to-day stress during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Depending on individual needs, this might include help with meal preparation, household routines, transportation organization, appointment reminders, rest opportunities, or following a clinician’s written care plan.
Non-medical home care does not diagnose or treat mental illness and should not replace obstetric, psychiatric, psychological, or emergency care.
Home support should also respect parenting goals and independence. Rather than assuming what someone needs, ask what they would like help with, what they prefer to do independently and who they want involved.
Needs can change throughout pregnancy and the postpartum year, so support plans should be revisited over time.
Changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, thinking, behavior, or safety should be discussed promptly with a qualified healthcare professional.
In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Perinatal mental-health care should be available to everyone. For people with intellectual disabilities, accessibility, communication, continuity and respect for autonomy are important parts of making that care possible.
Every family’s needs are different, especially during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Having the right support at home can help make daily routines a little easier while allowing individuals to remain involved in the decisions and activities that matter to them.
If your family is exploring in-home support for a loved one with an intellectual disability, ComForCare Home Care North San Diego is here to help. We provide personalized, respectful support designed around each person’s needs, preferences and goals.
You don’t have to navigate everything alone. To learn more about our in-home care services, call 858-247-1005.
This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. Individual symptoms, pregnancy concerns, or treatment decisions require evaluation by qualified healthcare professionals.
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