Sensitive Midwifery - Issue 43 - July2019

The importance of mental health during pregnancy Maternal mental health during pregnancy is crucial to the wellbeing of both mother and child, and yet very little emotional and psychological support is offered, say Sally Field and Simone Honikman of the Perinatal Mental Health Project. Continued on page 7 Pregnancy About the Perinatal Mental Health Project The Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) is based at the Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town. They envision mental health support for all mothers to promote their wellbeing, and that of their children and communities. Their mission is to develop and advocate for accessible maternal mental health care that can be delivered effectively at scale, in low- resource settings. To achieve this, they collaborate with government, and the academic and NGO sectors. Read more about PMHP and its resources at https://pmhp.za.org/ . T he first 1000 days of a child’s life, from conception until age two, is a period that has the potential to shape lifelong health and development. Mothers have increased contact with health professionals during this time, providing ample opportunity for timely intervention. However, health care for both mother and child tends to focus mainly on physical health. The prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs), including depression and anxiety, in the perinatal period is extremely high in South Africa. Studies have shown approximately one in four mothers suffer from depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or after birth. This is far higher than the rates found in high-income countries. The risk factors for CMDs in South Africa include poverty, food insecurity, HIV+ status, domestic violence, being an adolescent, and having inadequate social support. A past history of mental health problems places women at much higher risk of experiencing these in the perinatal period. 6 eSensitive Midwifery Magazine Issue 43