Mental Health by Raji Oba on May 7, 2017
“Baby Blues” is a momentary feeling of sadness that a number of women experiences at the advent of a baby. While there’s no hard data available in this part of the world to reveal the precise number of birthing mothers, alongside yearly figures of newborns and the accompanying psychosocial trauma that they experience, what is known and understood is a traumatic reality of psychological magnitude that can occur in up to 80% of all mothers following delivery.
Postnatal depressive illness is very real, and is especially more prevalent among first-timers and becomes less and less significant with each successive obstetric delivery. As I stated in my preceding article, the cause of post-natal depression, as well as psychiatric disorders post-birth, is not clear. Reasons for why a mother- post-delivery, would develop a continuum of doses of sadness, severe mood swings, frustration, restlessness, guilt, and shame over the emergence of a newborn remain a mystery. Even more nerve-racking are events where mothers, overwhelmed by the presence of a baby, is compelled to abandon a newborn in the woods or at a nearby vacant road.
Sorry events like these aren’t technical problems but are issues that are preventable and treatable. Prevention is better than cure. But indeed, environment matters. It is important for expectant mothers to situate in an environment that fosters unity, community, and social cohesion. Research has shown that women are more psychologically predisposed to an environment where there’s perceived security, orderliness, and tranquility. A commonality in the psychosocial behavior of all women is a sense of safety and security that they experience in an atmosphere that is mildly-soothing, sensitive, and generally supportive.
Other issues that may be a focus of clinical attention in the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression is the issue of societal attitude and “feminine psychology”. The society may have to look at putting a stop to the stereotype that’s placed on our women- a norm that says women should and must shoulder the responsibility of raising a child, feeding and taking care of the family, while concurrently worrying about getting back to a job that would effect an income reduction for having spent “way too much time at home with a baby”. We need a change in attitude toward moms, including women-friendly workplace policies. In addition, the education of our women can facilitate a healthier living for our women, equip them with a superior sense of balance, and empower them to make healthier choices- lifestyles that altogether can reduce postnatal depressive symptomologies.
It is also possible for policy advocacy to be an effective preventative means against postpartum depression. By wrestling with the government through a joint effort, not only can an enactment of a piece of legislation be pushed to help to put in place a workplace practice that empowers expectant mothers. A provision of an all-out and all-over healthcare to mothers can be particularly effective at checking post-natal depression. With the efforts of civil societies and stakeholders, quality antenatal, perinatal and postnatal intensive clinical and psychotherapeutic care can be provided to our women. It is also good for the economy, as we see a very strong link between the healthcare and the economy.
The mental health of our women matters. More important to our collective national growth and development is a healthy psychological state of our birthing mothers. Their operating social and physical environment can be made richer, and more emotionally stable. There must be a recognition and acknowledgment on the part of the society of the necessity to provide economic, social and community support that are critical to our women’s psychological wellbeing. But also impactful it is are empowerment and education of our women that provide them with the resiliency and other coping mechanisms they may need as they deal with incredibly difficult moments of taking care of newborns who are the future and pathfinders of this great nation.
THE AUTHOR
My name is Raji Ade Oba. I have gone through many years of experiences, the likes that no one’s seen. I do not mean to brag. My philosophy is grounded in the belief that everyone has immense worth and capabilities, and in that light, we shud be using our gifts and talents to change the lives of others, to giving back to the community. This is because that’s how we also find ourselves, and become much better persons, over time. Apart from being a scholarly writer, I’m also privileged to write liberally on leadership, mental illness, communication, and personal development strategies. I like to help people to realize their full potentials, so together we could make our world a better place. Thank you. Raji