Psychosocial Support For Mothers

Moms need ongoing support through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period

The birth of a baby is a momentous life event for a family. Extreme opposites of emotions – happiness and joy on one end and feelings of stress and anxiety on the other – are normal after a major life shift. Pregnant and new moms need support to cope with these emotional highs and lows and the myriad of changes they experience after bringing a new life into the world.

Your emotional health and wellbeing impact all areas of your life. Less stress and anxiety in pregnancy is good for your baby’s health and development. After the birth, good emotional wellbeing can help you bond with your baby and maintain and grow relationships with other loved ones. You’ll also be able to cope better with stress and adapt more readily to change.

Mental Health Challenges

For some moms, the physical, emotional and even social changes experienced during pregnancy or after the baby’s birth, can lead to a mental health condition.

Perinatal depression is a term that includes depression and related symptoms occurring during pregnancy. Postnatal depression also includes depression and other associated symptoms but occurs after the birth of the baby. Coping with depression can make it difficult for a mom to carry out her daily tasks and care for her baby. Signs and symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, difficulty sleeping and appetite changes.

Perinatal depression isn’t the same as the baby blues, mood change and feelings of anxiety and exhaustion that moms may experience some weeks after the baby’s birth. The baby blues are common as mom adapts to her new role and hormone levels regulate after the birth. It usually doesn’t require treatment, but if symptoms last longer than a few weeks, it may be PND and warrants a check-up with a healthcare provider. PND is treatable with counselling and/or medication.

Psychosocial Resources for Mothers

The term ‘psychosocial’ refers to the relationship between your psychological and social dimensions. Psychosocial support provides holistic support that addresses the emotional and social issues that impact on you personally, your new role as a mother, your baby’s care and your direct family unit. With this type of support, you can approach the challenges and changes of pregnancy and the postnatal period more positively.

So where can moms get support? Support can be personal or professional.

Your partner or co-parent

Moms who have a supportive partner often feel less stressed and anxious, especially in the postnatal period when baby duties can be shared, allowing mom time to rest. If you are bringing up your child with a romantic partner, parenting adds a new dimension to your relationship and can help to strengthen your bond through teamwork. Any partnership requires good communication between parties to articulate feelings and needs.

Your partner or a family member can also be your birth partner, to support you physically and emotionally through labour and delivery. Your birth partner should have a copy of your birth plan with him or her at the birth. He or she is your advocate during the birthing process.

Family support

Any close family member whom you trust can play a significant role in providing you with support. This includes emotional support (you can talk to them about your feelings and concerns) and physical support (they can assist you with chores or look after the baby). Communication in this relationship is also important so your support person knows what you need and how they can provide support.

Your primary healthcare provider

If you have questions regarding your pregnancy, your baby’s health or you are concerned about your mental wellbeing in pregnancy or the postnatal period, you can reach out to your doctor for advice.

Midwives and doulas

A midwife is a medical professional who provides you and your baby with care and support during pregnancy, at the birth and in the postnatal period. If you are planning a home birth, a midwife can be your primary caregiver. A doula is trained to provide emotional and physical support to the mother during the pregnancy, labour and delivery. She works with a midwife who facilitates the baby’s birth. A doula can also be present for delivery in a maternity unit, provided that the birthing facility allows this. Doulas also provide postnatal support through home visits.

Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes can help an expectant mom, and her partner or other support person, to prepare for the baby’s birth. While classes are practical and hands-on to provide information, the midwives who facilitate them also provide emotional support that can help ease anxiety and help you gain confidence for labour and delivery. You will also meet other expectant moms at the same life-stage as you and new friendships can be built around your shared experiences.

Lactation specialist

A lactation specialist (also called a consultant) provides breastfeeding guidance and support. If your birthing facility provides one, you may be able to see someone in the hospital prior to discharge, or you can book a home visit. Lactation specialists are able to assist with the practicalities of breastfeeding, like correct positioning and latching of the baby, and how to care for your breasts. They also address breastfeeding problems and provide invaluable emotional support to a new mom.

Birth trauma counsellor

If events surrounding your baby’s birth did not go as planned and you faced an emergency or difficult birth, dealing with these negative emotions is an important step towards healing. A birth trauma counsellor can help you explore your birth experience and find acceptance and healing so you can find closure.

Final Word

Ask your partner or a support person close to you, to keep an eye on your mental wellbeing both during and after your pregnancy. As a mom-to-be or a new mom, your focus is on your baby, and you may not pick up on signs or symptoms in your own health that others may notice.

If you are coping with a mental health issue, have signs or symptoms of depression or even feel that you aren’t yourself, help is at hand. Reach out to someone close to you, or a professional healthcare provider, for support and advice.

We’re here to help with advice and counselling. 

Resources:  Ana Frawley (Lactation specialist); https://www.verywellfamily.com/; https://www.webmd.com/; https://www.nimh.nih.gov/; https://www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca/; ttps://kidshealth.org/; https://www.nhs.uk/https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/; http://www.birthsupport.co.za/;https://www.who.int/; https://www.mind.org.uk/; h; https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/; https://www.medicinenet.com/