The mental health of mothers needs to be protected
![The mental health of mothers needs to be protected The mental health of mothers needs to be protected](/cms_media/module_img/7605/3802687_5_articlesmall_iStock-1369320211.jpg)
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- Anxiety — persistent, fearful, low mood.
- Lack of interest — in baby, in going out, in socialising.
- Repeated persistent thoughts — of self-harm, of harming the baby, excessive concern, for example about hygiene, baby’s health.
Most women’s care ends six weeks postpartum. According to researchers Susie Hannon, Agnes Higgins and Deirdre Daly from TCD School of Nursing and Midwifery: “Women find that they haven’t had an opportunity to think about whether the changes to their emotional and mental wellbeing are due to experiencing a big life change, and likely to resolve in time, or are symptoms that need to be addressed.
"Having one or two appointments at three and six months postpartum would give women time to recognise what is and isn’t normal for them, and provides an opportunity for them to bring up concerns with a healthcare professional.
"We also know that women benefit from direct and intentional questions from healthcare professionals about their mental health. It can be worrying to talk about feelings of anxiety or depression, and women prefer for healthcare professionals to initiate the conversation about symptoms of mental ill-health. Mothers often describe postpartum healthcare appointments as ‘baby-focused’, with little time given to mothers’ health and wellbeing. Direct, mother-centred questions show mothers that their health, and their care matters too."