I lead the UBC Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab (PARLab). The PARLab conducts research in the area of perinatal anxiety, with a focus on postpartum thoughts of infant related harm and their relationship with infant safety and mental health, as well as screening for perinatal anxiety, fear of childbirth and postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD; an anxiety-related mental health condition).

I am motivated to working in this area for several reasons. We now know that anxiety and anxiety related disorders are experienced by 21% of pregnant and postpartum people which is much more than depression. There are excellent treatments for anxiety conditions, in particular talk therapies. Historically, significant attention has been given to understanding postpartum depression, with much less attention given to perinatal anxiety.

In our related area of research: postpartum thoughts of infant-related harm, we now know that unwanted intrusive thoughts of accidental, infant-related harm are reported by 99% of new parents, and unwanted, intrusive thoughts of harming one’s infant re reported by 50% of new parents. We also know that when thoughts of harming one’s infant on purpose are experienced as unwanted and intrusive, they are not a risk factor for infant abuse. Because this is poorly known, frequently when parents share their thoughts with care providers they are viewed and treated as if at risk of harming their infant. This can have a significant negative impact of parental mental health and family wellbeing. Our goals are to increase knowledge and improve care for parents who are experiencing these kinds of thoughts.