Focus should be put on mums' mental health

There have been calls for a stronger focus on caring for the mental health of mum and baby during post-natal care.

 

Obstetrician Dr Dan Poulter has said that Britain needs a new preventive approach from the earliest days of pregnancy to avoid mental and physical problems later in life.

 

At the moment, focus is on the physical health of mothers and infants in basic areas such as weight gain, however mental health issues can cause problems for both down the line.

 

For example, it has been found that high maternal stress during pregnancy can lead to a thinning of the arteries of the baby, meaning they can have issues with strokes and heart disease in later life.

 

Changes are not believed to be costly as it will simply require new training for midwives and health visitors and the positive impact of early intervention means money will be saved in the long-term.

 

What do you think? Did you feel you had enough support for your emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and post-natal care?