Guardian article on depression in mothers

[edanna]

This makes interesting reading: a third of first-time mothers suffer depressive symptoms:

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/21/third-of-new-mothers-suffer-depressive-symptoms

And particularly this bit:

'And more women are depressed when their child turns four than at any time before that, according to the study, which challenges the notion that mothers' birth-related mental struggles usually happen at or after the baby's arrival. The findings have led to calls for all women giving birth in the UK to have their mental health monitored until their child turns five to ensure that more of those experiencing difficulties are identified.'

[dulwichpsychology]

It is certainly an interesting read and from my experience depression and anxiety can be a difficulty well past the postnatal period - and this could be for all sorts of reasons, including changes in lifestyle and work (or becoming a SAHM), changes in the relationship with partners etc. However, in the case of this study I also wonder if they controlled for women having a second child in the four years since they had their first?

[dulwichpsychology]

Actually I just realised that they did in fact control for this (must have skipped this before) and it showed that women with only one child were more depressed - now that makes me wonder if they controlled for reasons why mum only has one child. Maybe those who have made the decision to have one child are less depressed than those who may have fertility problems?

[ianr]

"Interestingly, women in the study with one child at the time of our 4-year follow-up tended to have

had more relationship transitions, and were more likely to have experienced intimate partner abuse

and a greater number of stressful life events and social health issues in the preceding 12 months.

They were also more likely to have a low income, and to have experienced depression in pregnancy

and the first 12 months postpartum."

That's from the Maternal Health Study policy brief provided by the paper's authors. It's downloadable from https://www.mcri.edu.au/research/research-projects/maternal-health-study-2014/news-and-events/. There's also a video. The paper itself seems not to have reached the BJOG site yet: presumably it'll be in the June issue. When it does it's likely thst non-subscribers will only be able to see the abstract.

[Belle]

This is fascinating - thanks for posting.

I'm actually trying to write a book at the moment about these issues, based mostly on my own story but interspersed with case histories of others. So if anyone wants to tell me a bit about their experiences, do PM me!