Post-natal depression

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 7

Post-natal depression

Most new mothers who took part in a Christchurch survey reported! suffering' from depression, and only half said they had received adequate information about the problem; according to a survey by the Society for Research on Women involv-

ing 200 new mothers. The survey also found that three-quarters had had conflicting 1 advice on breast feeding from hospital staffZ\ : The author of a report on the survey, Ms Robynne Hughes,, said the findings showed up weaknesses in education for new mothers. More than half the respon-

dents had problems, with breastfeeding. “It should be determined to what extent such a high proportion of problems was due to conflicting advice,” Ms Hughes said. ’ A link between difficult

pregnancies and . births, and post-natal depression, was revealed. 1 \ . It was possible that a more unhappy introduction to motherhood could prepare the way for a more unhappy reaction, 'to the final outcome, she said. High incidences of episiotomies (60 per cent) and pharmacological pain relief (61 per cent)' during birth

were reported. “One questions the necessity for such a high number, even though these are first births,” Ms Hughes said. The report showed a need for more education about how to care for older babies. About half the mothers

wanted such classes. Ms Hughes said another cause for concern was the low number of women under 25 who had attended antenatal classes, and the low number who were breast feeding their babies. “Obviously more needs to be done in society to provide more support for new parents,’’ Ms Hughes said. ' '