Nearly 50% of new, expectant mothers face mental health struggles - Expert

Consultant Physician in Genito-Urinary Medicine and HIV Medicine, Dr Vanessa Appea, has revealed that between 32% and 50% of pregnant women and new mothers experience some form of mental health condition, stressing the need for greater awareness and support.

Speaking in an interview on GhanaWeb's Health Focus with Abigail Lartey, Dr Appea explained that maternal mental health conditions range from anxiety and low mood to severe postpartum depression, with symptoms affecting women differently.

"The thing to put into context is that between 32 and 50 per cent of pregnant and postpartum mothers are experiencing some form of mental health condition and mental illness. That can be anything from anxiety or depression," she said.

According to her, while some women experience mild symptoms that do not significantly interfere with daily life, others battle severe depression that can affect their ability to care for themselves and their babies.

She explained that hormonal changes during pregnancy and after childbirth contribute significantly to emotional and psychological changes.

"It's a time of changing hormones... that change in hormonal status, that change in you as a woman, in who you are and what is happening to your body and what's happening after is a lot. So, it can be a lot to deal with," she stated.

Dr Appea noted that many people confuse the "baby blues" with postpartum depression, even though they differ in severity and duration.

She explained that baby blues are usually temporary feelings of sadness, exhaustion and emotional overwhelm experienced shortly after delivery, whereas postpartum depression is more persistent and can seriously affect a mother's wellbeing.

"When it becomes really severe, it can really affect someone, how they manage with the child and their life, and can really make them feel low and have intrusive thoughts in their mind about themselves and the child as well," she added.

She encouraged families and society to pay closer attention to the emotional well-being of pregnant women and new mothers, noting that maternal mental health deserves the same attention as general well-being.

NA/VPO

Understanding Maternal Mental Health