While politicians argue about the pros and cons of Paid Parental Schemes the health and welfare services for women in the early years after the birth go unexamined. The birth of an infant ushers in high levels of anxiety and depression, high levels of marital dissatisfaction, a spike in domestic violence, and legendary issues related to identity for women as new mothers. There is a common aspiration by couples to achieve a form of gender equal or egalitarian family while the birth of an infant ushers in significant trends towards gendered roles.

There is a common expectation that young women will develop and pursue a career and they most often have their first child in their early thirties, a time when they are well into their working lives. The workplace wants the skills and talents that these women have to offer and yet has been slow to respond to calls for flexibility.

There is a potent mix of social and cultural factors accompanying birth that are fuelling a disorientation of the self. Tensions between work and family are contributing to a decline in the health and wellbeing of women. According to beyondblue, one in ten women experience depression while pregnant and one in seven postnatally; the rate of anxiety goes much higher.  Many are sent to their doctor for medication or to a psychologist for a ‘talking’ cure. The response has been highly medicalized while there is strong evidence of a need for social support.

The postnatal phase officially ends at six weeks after the birth and the follow-up Maternal and Child Health services are patchy and remain primarily concerned with infant health and wellbeing. This is often to the exclusion of wider social and cultural factors that impact on maternal health and wellbeing. Women understand this and most often do not share personal concerns with their nurse. This is something that women know intuitively while they console themselves with the retort that now they are a mother they need to become selfless.

Nevertheless, the birth of an infant is an event of social and cultural significance.  There is an emphasis on a need for social support across the research on depression. We need to know how the existing services can be improved so as to better serve the needs and interests of women as mothers and men as fathers as they pioneer new ways of caring for their kids.

How do YOU think the services could be improved?

What would YOU  like to see offered to support parents particularly in those early years after the birth?

Dr Joan Garvan PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy and an avid promoter of maternal health. She also became a first time mother at age 42. She currently offers a professional development course for those working with women and families in the early years after the birth. For more information go to www.maternalhealthandwellbeing.com or visit her two facebook pages: maternal health and wellbeing, supporting young families.

Picture Caption: Joan, in her early days of mothering, with daughter Hannah.

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