Many conversations around maternal mental health, are focused on mental illness that develops during pregnancy or after having a baby. However, we know that your role as a mother doesn’t always fall neatly into these two categories. There are many challenges and hurdles on the road to parenthood and we need to talk about maternal mental health for every stage of the journey.
Maternal Mental Health & Infertility
Before you even become a mother, the process of getting pregnant can affect your mental health – especially if you face fertility struggles. In 2016 Fertility Network UK conducted a huge survey of people experiencing infertility. Whilst we all know that a fertility journey can take its toll on you emotionally – the results of the survey were heartbreaking and shocking. 90% of the participants said they felt depressed during their fertility journey. 42% reported having suicidal thoughts. Whilst these statistics highlight a clear intersection between mental illness and infertility, they probably don’t even show the full scale of the problem. Both mental health and fertility are subjects shrouded in shame, which means people often aren’t honest with others – or even themselves – about how deeply they have been affected.
So what can we do to address this issue? Whilst most fertility clinics have in-house or trusted counsellors they can refer you to, this kind of mental health support is not always guaranteed – and not always taken up. We need to keep talking about how common infertility is – and how common the mental health struggles associated with it are. In the last few years growing communities, like the one we have here at Parla, have helped to end the stigma around these two closely linked issues and have become a place where people can access peer support from people who understand what they’re going through.
Perinatal Mental Health
Many people don’t realise that perinatal mental health doesn’t only cover pregnancy – but any mental health issues you may experience up to a year after giving birth. Whilst postpartum depression is more openly discussed, and something both healthcare providers and mothers may look out for, mental illness during pregnancy is still often considered taboo.
We’re told that pregnancy should be one of the most joyful times of our lives. Many women feel – especially they have struggled to conceive – that they should be happy and grateful (and be ashamed of feeling anything different.) However, dealing with mental health issues during pregnancy is more common than you may think. Studies indicate that around 20% of mums-to-be deal mood or anxiety disorders during pregnancy, and around 10% suffer from what would be classed as clinically significant depressive symptoms. Whilst this can be a time of great happiness, it’s also a time full of fluctuating hormones and a bunch of stress – and sometimes fear. Whether you’re struggling with a pre-existing mental health condition, or one that has developed during your pregnancy, you should never be afraid to reach out to your medical team and let them know how you feel – and what help you need. The Mind website has some great resources that can help you navigate your way out of a dark place during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Loss & Mental Health
Miscarriage and pregnancy loss are heartbreaking experiences to go through and come with a bunch of complex emotions from grief and sadness to guilt and shame. This intense grief, coupled with the physical toll that pregnancy loss takes, is a perfect storm for a mental health crisis – which is why it’s essential that loss mothers are included as part of the conversation around maternal mental health. In 2019, friend of Parla Dr Jessica Farren led the biggest study into the mental health impact of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The results of the study showed just how deep-rooted the emotional issues after loss can be. One month following pregnancy loss, nearly a third of women in the study (29%) showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, nearly a quarter experienced moderate to severe anxiety and 11% had moderate to severe depression. Nine months later, 18% of the women involved in the study still reported symptoms of PTSD.
Even if you aren’t struggling with PTSD, experiencing pregnancy loss can shatter your sense of self and trigger various mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. In a recent Parla survey, we found that 78% of loss mothers struggled to look after their emotional wellbeing after their miscarriage – but only 9% spoke to a mental health professional about the issues they were facing. We are on a mission to improve pregnancy loss support and are currently working with renowned psychologist Julia Bueno to develop an online programme to help loss mothers navigate their grief – and improve their mental wellbeing.
Whatever stage of motherhood you are at, it’s ok not to be ok and you are never alone. There are many support networks out there that can create a safe space for you to share your feelings and get help.
