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Links from London Maternity and Midwifery Festival 6th February 2024
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.
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).
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
Also look at the work of Vivette Glover
PTSD, birth trauma, mental illness
Perinatal mental health: a review of progress and challenges
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.
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
The International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health | Perinatal Mental Health
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 29 April – 5 May 2024
Black Maternal Mental Health week https://themotherhoodgroup.org/
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 🙂
Elaine Hanzak
m: 07762 148183
e: elaine@hanzak.com
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