Iris Lesser, University of The Fraser Valley and Scott Lear, Simon Fraser University
Women who are physically active in the postnatal period report better mental well-being than those who are less active, but the pandemic has made exercise less accessible.
The percentage of women receiving the recommended perinatal mental health screening has tripled since 2000 – but one in five women are still missing out.
New study finds that giving birth through an emergency caesarean increases the risk of developing postnatal depression in the first nine months after childbirth by about 15%.
Men also experience postnatal mental health and adjustment issues.
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Having a stressed and depressed father can have serious implications for infants and relationships. And supporting a father who may be experiencing mental ill health means supporting the mother too.
Postnatal depression affects between 8-11% of new fathers.
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Cliched comments like “it wasn’t meant to be” or “don’t worry, you’ll get pregnant” are hurtful and dismissive. Instead, acknowledge their loss, listen and let them grieve.
Pregnancy and after can be a turbulent time.
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Depression and anxiety during pregnancy are only recently gaining attention. But seeking help early can make a big difference for expecting mothers – and for their children and families.
Parents of very preterm infants are at far higher risk of depression and anxiety than parents of healthy full-term babies.
Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
It will come as no surprise that some new fathers will be anxious or highly stressed. However, most people believe only new mums suffer postnatal depression. This is not the case.
Even just taking a long hot bath, alone, once a week, reduced the risk of postnatal depression.
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Supporting new mothers to make weekly “time for themselves” in the first six months after giving birth may reduce the prevalence of postnatal depression.
Some women are very sensitive to small shifts in hormones, others aren’t.
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In recent times, we have learnt more about the connections between the “reproductive” or gonadal hormones and the brain, and how they affect not only women but men as well.