My Blog

Making a positive difference to the lifelong mental health effects of the perinatal period 

We all work towards every pregnancy, birth and postnatal period to be as healthy and happy as possible for all involved.

That isn’t always the reality, especially regarding mental health.

The Royal College of Midwifery recently published ‘Strengthening Perinatal Mental Health – a road map to the right support at the right time.’

‘All maternity professionals should be equally concerned with mental as well as physical health in pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period.’

‘Suicide is the leading direct cause of death between 6 weeks and 12 months after the end of pregnancy’

MBRRACE-UK – Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care 2023  https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/mbrrace-uk

Claire Peake, 39 – school teacher – hung herself like scene from Officer & Gentlemen

Joe Bingley, nurse – jumped in front of a train

Charlotte Bevan + daughter – jumped off Avon Gorge in Bristol

Dr Daksha Emson & Freya – stabbed and set fire

In the words of Daksha Emson’s husband on what would have been his daughter’s 18th Birthday – ‘Let’s enable their silent screams to be finally heard’.

My own perinatal journey was planned with military precision yet the birth was difficult, my son was serious ill at 5 months old and I developed postnatal depression leading to puerperal psychosis.

I wrote my biography in ‘Eyes without Sparkle – a journey through postnatal illness’ 

My second book was written to help those considering another pregnancy. ‘Another Twinkle in the Eye’.

With the passing years and the privilege of many others sharing their perinatal journeys with me, I now realise that there are lifelong effects of what happens in the perinatal period. We all hope that there will be happy memories that can be kept along with a tangible memory box of treasured items. For some there are negative impacts. We need to keep these in mind to remind us how important it is to get the perinatal period right.

Whole Family

It is not just the parent(s) – all involved can be impacted.

Involving and supporting partners and other family members in specialist perinatal mental health services – Zoe Darwin et al

Relationships

Can be improved or deteriorate

 The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry highlighted that in a Danish sample of 266,771 women, new mothers diagnosed with a postpartum mental health condition had a higher probability of divorce in the years following their diagnosis than mothers who did not experience a postnatal mental illness.

Divorce or Separation following postpartum psychiatric episodes: a population-based cohort study By BMW Johannsen et al.

Perinatal becomes a contraceptive

Perera, E., Chou, S., Cousins, N. et al. Women’s experiences of trauma, the psychosocial impact and health service needs during the perinatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 197 (2023).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/better-mental-health-jsna-toolkit/4-perinatal-mental-health 

Guilt…including effect on child

Getting Rid of the Guilt After Postpartum Depression | POSTPARTUM PROGRESS

Trends of Perinatal Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and Their Prediction on Postpartum Depression

Begin before Birth

Also look at the work of Vivette Glover

PTSD, birth trauma, mental illness

Perinatal mental health: a review of progress and challenges Louise M Howard ¹, Hind Khalifeh ¹

The effect of childbirth no-one talks about – BBC Future

Miscarriage and still birth

According to a study published by Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, 1 in 6 women experience long-term post-traumatic stress following miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy may trigger long-term post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression

Perinatal Loss: The Impact on Maternal Mental Health

Confidence, character and career

Summary report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Matrescence: lifetime impact of motherhood on cognition and the brain

Menopause and hysterectomy

Bei Bei, Soledad Coo, Fiona C Baker & John Trinder (2015) Sleep in Women: A Review, Australian Psychologist, 50:1, 14-24, DOI:

https://www.letstalkmenopause.org/menopause-mental-health

https://www.app-network.org/postpartum-psychosis/postpartum-psychosis-and-the-menopause/

Impact on other life changes – empty nest, loss

Is there enough support and advice out there for mothers of older children/young adults?

An Instagram poll we ran yesterday saw 83% say they don’t feel there is enough resources out there, while 56% have stated they have experienced, or have anticipated experiencing empty nest syndrome.  Mind Solent

What can you do to support families in your care and minimise negative mental health aspects of the perinatal period?

Recognise the possible fear and stigma felt by all involved

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/face-fear

Learn – expand your knowledge  

Be informed and share the knowledge – if you don’t know, find out

Home | Maternal Mental Health Alliance

Action on Postpartum Psychosis | The national charity for mums and families affected by postpartum psychosis (app-network.org)

The International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health | Perinatal Mental Health

ihv.org.uk

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 29 April – 5 May 2024

Black Maternal Mental Health week https://themotherhoodgroup.org/

Blue Mum Days

New book from Mark Williams – How are you Dad?

Know about charities

The Moses Project is a volunteer led project supporting new families with essential baby items. Based in Suffolk

Mummy’s Star are a charity providing cancer support in or around pregnancy.

4 Louis – Stillbirth Support Charity — A UK charity that works across the country to support anyone affected by child loss. Supporting Families Through Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Child Loss.

Home–Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.

https://www.eatingdisordersandpregnancy.co.uk/ – With input from women, healthcare professionals and key organisations, researchers at King’s College London have co-designed a set of training resources for healthcare professionals that incorporate the latest evidence and clinical guidance, and the perspectives of women with lived experience.

Your reaction to an expectant parent

When you first meet an expectant parent acknowledge the pregnancy with a warm and neutral tone and ask ‘How do you feel about it?’.

Your reaction can then be in line with their answer.

The importance of really listening

Unicef  – having meaningful conversations with mothers

https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/4716/parental-emotional-wellbeing-guide-2021.pdf 

Be kind

Small actions can make a big difference

‘‘Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.’’

Leo Buscaglia

Remember the importance of self care

You cannot pour from an empty vessel.

Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. https://www.nimh.nih.gov

Remember that your words and actions have a ripple effect both positive and negative.

What will you apply, change and teach?

I trust that you have found these resources useful. I would be delighted if you find any others that could be included. I am well aware that there are many more that a 20 minutes presentation did not allow the time for.

My biggest desire is that you are able to continue to improve maternity and mental health care AND I would love to inspire you to do some research in this area.

Elaine 🙂