Mental health in pregnancy and after childbirth

December 17th 2020 made it 10 years since we lost Ochuwa to pregnancy and childbirth complications. 10 years later, women still die from avoidable pregnancy and childbirth complications. Some women will suffer life long complications and disorders silently or ignorantly. Today with support from SLNI, we gave a talk on exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum depression to pregnant women in Apo PHC Abuja. Mental health in pregnancy and after childbirth is not often discussed during antenatal classes. Postpartum depression occurs in approximately 13% of new mothers. It is usually detected between 2 and 6 weeks postpartum and can last up to 2 years.

Mauthner (1999) states, “Postpartum depression occurs when women are unable to experience, express and validate their feelings and needs within supportive, accepting and non-judgmental interpersonal relationships and cultural context”. Beck (2006) describes PPD as a “crippling mood disorder” often overlooked by health-care providers, which can cause the woman anxiety and confusion. More than half of the women with PPD go undetected and undiagnosed because the new mother may be unwilling to reveal how she is feeling to her provider or close family members, including her spouse (Beck, 2006). She may be embarrassed by her symptoms, or afraid that, if revealed, she will be institutionalized and separated from her baby. Women with PPD would rather separate themselves from friends and loved ones than reveal what they are experiencing, especially when it goes against social and cultural standards and expectations. Their fear of being labeled as a nonperfect mother creates the silence that makes their illness difficult to endure and their recovery complex. Educating women and their partners about PPD gives them awareness, what to do, where to and how to seek for help when they experience it. We gave pregnant women mama kits at the end of the event. Thanks for your support.

#maternity #mentalhealthawareness #mamakit #postpartumjourney #PostPartumDepressionIsReal #antenatalclass