Maternal mental health is something families need to prioritise, just as much as they focus on the newborn.
Becoming a mother is a wonderful life change for every woman. This phase of life brings about an immense love and bond between mother and child, but it is also difficult time in a woman’s life. After birthing a child, a woman’s identity, plans and role shift to the newborn, which might lead to an increase in mental health concerns.
It is possible for the mother to distance herself from her social circle, lose interest in past hobbies, and struggle to form a strong attachment or provide for the baby, this is called postpartum depression. Also, new mothers can develop feelings of not being good enough for their baby, leading to anxiety and poor self-worth, and increased difficulty in bonding with their infant.
Maternal Mental Health Disorders
These are mental disorders women get during pregnancy, after delivery or breastfeeding of their child. A few will be mentioned here;
1. Postpartum Psychosis:
This is considered a medical emergency because the mom can harm herself or her baby. The onset is sudden, within the first 2 weeks postpartum.
2. Postpartum Mania:
Mothers can develop a severe inability to fall asleep, even when they are exhausted. In general, she is happy and excited about being a mother and finishing duties. This is regarded as a manic or hypomanic condition that might or might not be connected to an underlying bipolar illness.
3. Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression:
One in 20 women experiences clinical depression during and/or after pregnancy. Postpartum depression is treatable during pregnancy and postpartum. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and mothers with pre-existing depression prior to or during pregnancy are more likely to experience postpartum depression, Some of the symptoms include sadness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty finding joy in activities once enjoyed, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
4. The Baby Blues:
This is a sudden change in hormone after delivery. It isn’t considered a disorder.
5. Birth-related PTSD:
This illness is brought on by an actual trauma that occurred during childbirth or the postpartum phase.
All these might lead to depression, anxiety, and, in very severe cases, even suicide.
How To Care For A Mother’s Mental Health
1. Seeking Professional help:
Effective coping mechanisms and techniques for managing stress, anxiety, or depression can be acquired through therapy or counselling. Mental health professionals can assist in overcoming the obstacles of parenthood and provide support tailored to your needs and requirements.
2. Promote Honest Discussions Regarding Mental Wellness:
It can be less stigmatising and more supportive to promote candid discussions about mental health within the family. It fosters an environment of understanding and support when moms feel at ease talking about their mental health. Better mental health practices and a more encouraging atmosphere for all can result from this transparency.
3. Building a Dependable Home Support System:
A mother’s mental health can be greatly improved by having a loving partner and family. Mothers can have less work to do when they share childcare duties, clean up after the home, and offer emotional support. A more understanding and encouraging atmosphere can be created in the family by having open lines of communication about needs and emotions.
4. Having and Doing some ‘Me’ time:
This is very essential to mothers. It could be 30 minutes to an hour or two, doing something you love whether it be unwinding with some TV shows or cuddling in a sofa, sleeping or reading. To feeling refreshed for the rest of the day.
Motherhood is frequently portrayed on social media as a picture-perfect, all lovey-dovey experience with daily smiles and happiness. Avoid falling prey to comparison bias because it gives room to low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
Having a loving husband and family is the key to boosting your mental health, especially as a new mother. They are the people you fall on to help, fix, pull, and pick up after you. A healthy support system that is willing to help and listen to your complaints and concerns without judgements and comparisons.
Read also: Managing Stress As A Working Class Mother
