WOMEN have been urged to seek mental health assistance soon after birth to avoid sliding into Post-partum depression especially under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
By Patricia Mashiri
Post-partum depression is a form of depression that occurs after childbirth. Those who develop it are at a greater risk of developing major depression later in life.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Kudakwashe Muchena, a the leading Psychologist in Zimbabwe said there was need to take extra care of pregnant and post-partum women as the process of birth comes with a lot of mental health ramifications and one of the them may lead into post-partum depression.
Women are giving birth in a pandemic which is an extra stress on itself. Most women who are giving birth now might not have the care that they so much deserve to be able to walk into a hospital/clinic and safely give birth without any complication or fear of leaving the hospital with COVID-19 or with the death of a child,” said Dr Muchena.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic was a threat on the mental health of women and due to fear of infection, women were now shying away from visiting health institutions
“Because of COVID-19, the women then surrender that care into the hands of relatives and friends who in most cases are not qualified enough which in most cases lead to the death of that child or injuries to the mother or both. When that happens the mother usually goes to what is called into post-partum depression. It shows off in a number of ways. Others withdrew from the community and want to be alone; others go into the extent of wanting to strangle the new born baby.”
He also urged pregnant women to seek assistance from health professionals both medical doctors, psychologists and mental health expert.
Meanwhile, Someone Always Listen Toyou (S.A.L.T AFRICA) founder, Tafadzwa Meki said there is need to be proactive when dealing with mental health issues rather than being reactive.
“We have identified that there is a problem and this is maternal mental health. Post-partum depression is part of maternal health care. Let’s look at the whole chain. What happens when a woman falls pregnant, when she does not fall pregnant? When she falls pregnant what does she go through or when she does not fall pregnant what does she go through?
“The immediate assistance has got to be the immediate family of this pregnant woman. These have to look at whether she has food on her table, someone to talk to, proper shelter and now we look at COVID where people does not have employment, what medical facility can be given to this person to make sure that she is okay holistically and not forgetting the mental side where the person needs a qualified midwife or maternal mental health nurse who works in midwifery section,” said Meki.
She added that there is physical grief in the event that the mother loses a child as well as emotional grief when one gives birth since it also comes with a lot of changes and responsibilities.
A study on pregnant and postpartum women report elevated depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress during COVID-19 pandemic reported that they expected to see more distresses in pregnant and post-partum women more worried.
