Policy Context

The perinatal period, generally spanning from pregnancy through the first year of life*, is a critical window for a child’s long-term development.² The foundations for physical, cognitive and emotional health are established during this early period. Characteristics of both the mother and the infant serve as primary indicators for a child’s future health trajectory. It is widely recognised that maternal factors, such as mental health status, smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy in combination with infant indicators like birth weight and gestational age provide critical insights into potential developmental risks.¹,³ This period represents an opportunity where the environment and maternal health intersect to guide a child’s future wellbeing.

Research from the Raine Study indicates that maternal factors such as nutrition, chemical exposures, and smoking during pregnancy are linked to physical health outcomes in later childhood, including respiratory health and metabolic function.⁵,⁶ Data from the AIHW shows that poor perinatal mental health has significant impact on the mother as well as a long-term impact on the infant, leading to potential reduced cognitive development, emotional difficulties and externalising behavioural problems.² Additionally, mothers who are exposed to significant stressors like family and domestic violence (FDV) during pregnancy are found to experience higher rates of stillbirth and babies born at low birthweights.⁷ In turn, babies born at a low birthweight face immediate higher risks of illness or death in infancy, developmental difficulties and long-term health effects such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.⁹

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) highlights a significant correlation between perinatal health and school readiness¹, finding that children who experience multiple prenatal risk factors such as foetal distress or chronic maternal physical illness are statistically more likely to be identified as "developmentally vulnerable" in their first year of full-time school.¹

Significant health disparities exist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants, highlighting a priority for intervention to improve long-term childhood health outcomes.⁸ Recognising that the perinatal period is a critical window for high quality care and support is important to improve childhood health outcomes across the lifespan.

*As defined by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.