Why your maternal mental health is so important
Although the subject of mental health may not carry as much of a stigma as it used to, there’s still some way to go. But there’s a significant section of this very important health topic that perhaps isn’t discussed enough — and that’s the effect it can have on perinatal women. Here’s why maternal mental health is so important.
The facts are concerning
More than 1 in 10 women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or within the first year of childbirth, according to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. More worryingly, they report that 7 in 10 women hide or play down the seriousness of their perinatal mental health.
Mums are suffering alone, desperate to be seen as coping with motherhood. With phrases such as “bundle of joy” being bandied around, it can feel like an invisible pressure to enjoy every moment. If anything, it’s just as important to openly discuss the fact that parenting can be both gruelling and delightful so that mums don’t feel like they’re failing when faced with some real challenges.
The expectation vs. reality is precisely why it’s so important to raise awareness of maternal mental health so that more women can get the support they need.
“I want to be honest about [postpartum depression] because I think there’s still so much shame when you have mixed feelings about being a mom instead of feeling this sort of ‘bliss.’ I think a lot of people still really struggle with that, but it’s hard to find other people who are willing to talk about it.”
To add to how significant an issue it is, the World Health Organisation considers maternal mental health to be a major public health challenge.
What is maternal mental health?
While the term ‘postnatal depression’ is perhaps more widely known, a maternal mental health disorder can strike at any time during the perinatal period (during pregnancy and up to 1 year after childbirth), not just post-birth.
The NHS reports that perinatal mental illness affects up to 20% of mums-to-be and new mothers. It’s important for these women to get the support they need as it can not only impact them day-to-day and potentially long term, but their partner, and wider family too. Furthermore, early-days bonding is so important for both mum and baby, and an illness such as postnatal depression may create a barrier to that.
But at what stage could you be affected, and how do you know if you’re suffering with maternal depression or other perinatal mental health issue?
Perinatal, prenatal and postnatal depression – what’s the difference?
Perinatal depression can occur at any point during pregnancy and for up to a year after the birth, and can encompass the following:
Prenatal Depression
Also known as ‘antenatal depression’, this refers to the pregnancy period and can happen at any point during the pregnancy. While most mums-to-be hope to ‘positively bloom’ during pregnancy, mood swings, morning sickness and difficulty sleeping (allegedly your body’s way of preparing you for those sleepless nights!) are often unavoidable.
Of course, riding the emotional rollercoaster is part and parcel of the pregnancy journey, but what if there’s more to it than simply your hormones? According to the NCT, around 12% of women actually experience prenatal depression. Their website lists some of the symptoms to look out for, including loss of interest in yourself or your pregnancy, chronic anxiety, and feeling irritable, angry, or emotionally detached.
Personally, I struggled with prenatal depression quite early on. Working 4 days a week, with a 5-year-old who had just started school, I was pregnant, and juggling the invisible load we’re all so familiar with. Fortunately, I was able to open up to my midwife who introduced me to medication that was safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It was both a revelation and a relief to know there was help available.
Postnatal Depression
Postnatal refers to the period after you’ve given birth, when the “baby blues” aren’t just a phase you’re going through. Depression and anxiety hit me hard after my first pregnancy; I found the first few weeks brutal. I felt completely on edge, questioning every decision I made, berating myself for every mistake. I struggled to find joy in every day and kept thinking everything should feel different.
Feeling low all the time, not feeling like you’re able to look after your baby (let alone yourself) or bond with him/her and feeling guilt or blame could be symptoms of PND. Fundamentally, maternal depression is significant at any stage — and you might not even see it coming.
Years ago, new mums had the support of their tribe. Their mothers, aunts, sisters and other women were all there to help each other. Nowadays, many of us struggle to manage motherhood alone instead, more often consulting the internet and forums for advice.
“Why won’t my baby go to sleep?”
“How much milk should my baby be drinking?”
It can be a desperately lonely time, so it’s hardly surprising that more than 1 in 10 women experience postnatal depression within 1 year of giving birth. It can also affect dads and partners, too, as Dr. Andrew Mayers highlights in his web page dedicated to fathers’ mental health.
The baby blues: why you should seek help beyond postpartum
Actually, the baby blues should only last a couple of weeks. As per the NHS website, it’s common to be feeling tearful and anxious in the first week or so after giving birth. Your body is adjusting, you have a new addition to bond with, and your hormones are having a party.
But if you’re still plagued by these feelings beyond the first week or so, aren’t enjoying the things you usually would, or are becoming withdrawn, you could be suffering with postnatal depression. The problem is you might not even realise it — it’s not something that comes on all-of-a-sudden.
Other perinatal mental health problems
It’s not just perinatal depression that’s an issue when it comes to maternal mental health. Being a new mum is the most wonderful, joyous rite-of-passage any woman can hope to experience. But between sleepless nights, trying to keep on top of the laundry, wondering why your baby just won’t stop crying, and worrying about developmental milestones, it’s incredibly hard work.
As well as depression, some of the most common types of maternal mental illness include:
Lack of sleep in itself can have a huge impact on your mental state. And when you factor in the invisible mental load that comes with being a parent, it can all become totally overwhelming.
Don’t be ashamed of maternal mental illness
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or other maternal mental health issue, it’s really important to reach out for help. It’s not something to be ashamed of, and as indicated above, it’s a lot more common than we think.
The facts speak for themselves, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s especially important to know that depression and mental health issues are an illness just like any other. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Get support for your maternal mental health
There are things you can do to help yourself, too, such as:
Reach out to others like family or friends and talk about how you feel.
Get support to make time for yourself to rest and recuperate.
Try and get out for a gentle walk in the fresh air a few times a week.
Focus on nutrition through a healthy, balanced diet.
It’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 on 3rd to 9th May. Take a look at this blog post to find out more information and see how you can follow or join the campaign.
For help and support with all things parenting, whether that be what to pack in your hospital bag, guidance on what to expect, or tips to manage the mental load, you can also follow us on Instagram, and sign up for free to find out more about the app.
Access 100s of checklists on the Parent List App for free
Get ready for the ultimate parenting assistant! With just one click you can get started on parentlist.app for free. You'll unlock 100s of helpful checklists to make your life as a parent easier than ever before. From fun activity ideas to spark joy in little ones, snooze-inducing bedtime routines and simple ways to support the whole family’s health. Join our community for free today.
