(Over the last 5 years we have recognised the need for a more inclusive care, one that not only focuses on the mother’s physical wellbeing but her mental and emotional wellbeing; one that encompasses mind, spirit and soul.)

Why is this important?

Perinatal Depression (antenatal and or, postnatal/postpartum depression)

Is now the most common complication of pregnancy affecting 1:7 women

Up to 50% of individuals with PPD are never detected.

PPD is the most under-diagnosed.

Suicide counts for about 20% of postpartum deaths and is the second most common cause of mortality in postpartum women.

Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first year of baby’s life.

What is PPD? (POST PARTUM DEPRESSION)

PPD is a serious mental health problem characterized by a prolonged period of emotional disturbance, occurring at a time of major life change and increased responsibilities in the care of the newborn infant.

PPD can have significant consequences for both the new mother and family.

• Perinatal depression is twice as common as gestational diabetes.
• Perinatal depression effects Mother, Child, and Family.
• Longterm, untreated depression effects our infants and their physical and mental health, and the health of generations to come.
• Perinatal depressioneffects in pregnancy can lead to poor health care or complications in Pregnancy, like pre-eclampsia, and more intervention in birth.
• For baby: low birth weight, and preterm delivery. And post birth: behavioural problems, cognitive delays and most important of all, baby can suffer from attachment issues.

Read more about:

• The lifelong importance of good attachment
• Why anxiety and depression is becoming such a problem?
• Emotional health and wellbeing in Pregnancy:  Why do we feel vulnerable when we are pregnant?
• CMS pledge to support the worried well woman and to help assess their risk to depression in their pregnancy
• Why do Perinatal Mental Health Problems happen?
• How can I get help? And,
• What will be offered?

How will I know if I have Postpartum Depression or just the Baby Blues?

Baby Blues

In the first 2 weeks after delivery and is associated with rapid mood changes and a high emotionality. This does not last but settles quite quickly, and is often linked with your milk coming in.

Postpartum Depression

Tends to happen 2 weeks after birth and up to many months later, 3 months is a classic time to really note its impact, and leaves the woman with feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, and in severe cases: suicidal thoughts may be present. It impacts your functioningi.e: all that you can do, and feel.

AIM: TO PROMOTE MOTHERS MENTAL HEALTH

RESULT: WELL MOTHER, HEALTHY CHILD, STRONG COMMUNITY

Why is our Attachment Experience important for the rest of our life and beyond?

• It is the laying down of our basic structure for relationships with self or others (the importance of loving and connecting).
• It helps us cope with stress,
• It affects our learning capacity and,
• all our physiological processes: heart health, hormones and endocrine system, respiratory system, glucose regulation and immune system functioning,most importantly.

Attachment is the innate motivating force in human beings

• The heart of the matter of being human IS:
• Seeking and maintaining contact with significant others
• Fearing isolation and loss
• Secure dependence compliments autonomy – two sides of the same coin. Babies need to be close to you.
• All adults need a safe haven.

WHY IS ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SUCH A PROBLEM?

2 main things Modern Mothers don’t have in our society:

• No one to listen to them
• No one to learn from

As mothers we are social learners and need to learn from each other.

In our Modern Social World when we have a baby we are often isolated from family and friends, and due to work commitments have little or no supportive networks once we become pregnant or have a baby.