New mums more likely to have postnatal depression during COVID-19 lockdown
Almost half (47.5%) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown, more than double average rates for Europe before the pandemic (23%), finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
Women described feelings of isolation, exhaustion, worry, inadequacy, guilt, and increased stress. Many grieved for what they felt were lost opportunities for them and their baby, and worried about the developmental impact of social isolation on their new little one.
Those whose partners were unable or unavailable to help with parenting and domestic tasks, particularly where they were also dealing with the demands of home schooling, felt the negative impacts of lockdown most acutely.
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Almost half (47.5%) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown, more than double average rates for Europe before the pandemic (23%), finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
Women described feelings of isolation, exhaustion, worry, inadequacy, guilt, and increased stress. Many grieved for what they felt were lost opportunities for them and their baby, and worried about the developmental impact of social isolation on their new little one.
Those whose partners were unable or unavailable to help with parenting and domestic tasks, particularly where they were also dealing with the demands of home schooling, felt the negative impacts of lockdown most acutely.
New Mothers Are Twice as Likely to Have Postnatal Depression in Lockdown Chloe Burcham
The covid-19 pandemic has not been easy for anyone. But it s safe to say that new mothers have had a particularly hard time of it. From giving birth in isolation to raising a newborn without the support of family and friends, a new study led by researchers at UCL has revealed that new mothers are twice as likely to suffer from postnatal depression in lockdown.
Postnatal depression can affect people in different ways. It might come on suddenly or develop over a period of time, but usually affects mothers within the first year after giving birth.
The need to provide mental health support for pregnant women in Nigeria
The need to provide mental health support for pregnant women in Nigeria
I struggled with feelings of anxiety and depression for nine months during my first pregnancy in 2016. I spoke with my gynaecologist several times about my different mood swings, but he felt I should be excited because I was having a baby. Sometimes I felt happy about having a baby, but most times I felt sad. I was so forgetful, I cried a lot and was unable to concentrate at work. The mood swings continued after I had my baby. I often felt unhappy and was easily angered. My mother-in-law visited me at the hospital and noticed that I was not happy. It was clear that she did not understand why I might have felt unhappy, as she felt I should be happy. By the time the naming ceremony came seven days after, I wished I could go somewhere to be by myself but could not. Added to this, at that same time my younger brother died, and this made my feel
BIPOC Mothers With Postpartum Depression Are Suffering in Silence
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Women of color are more likely to develop PPD and similar conditions and less likely to get treatment.
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Every mother and father experiences postpartum depression differently. For Nakita Austin, the condition felt like “drowning and grasping onto everything for help.” Sol DiFrancesco felt like she was “constantly sad, tired and overwhelmed.
Austin, of London, and DiFrancesco, who lives in New Jersey, are two of the estimated 15 percent of all women who develop postpartum depression (PPD) in the weeks or months after giving birth.
Postpartum depression is a serious mood disorder that can have a profound effect on all aspects of a new mom s life symptoms may include feelings of overwhelming sadness or worthlessness, severe anxiety, irritability, insomnia and social isolation.