Mom’s Mental Health after Childbirth: The Importance of Self-Care

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We all know that the motherhood journey is fun but never easy. During this time, mothers tend to forget about themselves in a bid to cater to the needs of their newborn children. However, it is essential to remember that attending to a mother’s needs is equally important. A mom’s psychological and emotional health influences her ability to properly give care to her children. Understanding the importance of maternal mental health by everyone around the new mom is crucial to ensuring the fostering of a healthy family life.

Several mental conditions affect mothers during pregnancy, and mostly after childbirth. Some of these conditions include depression, post-partum depression, and anxiety. According to the CDC, about 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression symptoms. Such statistics emphasize the urgent need for awareness and support for mothers.

Below are tips on how to look out for new moms and their mental health.

1. Recognize the signs

One of the first steps toward addressing mental health is recognizing the signs. However, signs can vary from one mother to the next but the most common ones include sadness, irritability, anxiety, sleeping, and eating issues among others. Fear often accompanies these feelings, making a mom feel like they are not good enough to cater for their children. Recognizing these signs early helps moms seek help and prevent further overwhelming feelings.

2. Actively seek help

While the signs of the need for help may be prevalent, some barriers prevent mothers from seeking help. For instance, there is the stigma that comes with admitting to mental illness, where some mothers may fear being judged for it and appearing unfit to raise the child/children in her care. It is important to realize that these issues are not in the scope of abnormality and that they are part of life. Access to mental health services should be the norm so mothers do not feel neglected.

3. Self-care

Self-care is an essential part of mental health and its management. It is vital to realize that self-care looks different to every mother because some may value a spa day, while others prefer a night out, and others just some quiet. The key to self-care is finding manageable ways to incorporate some of the things the mom loves into her routine. Mindfulness in every activity no matter how small also goes a long way in positively impacting mental health.

4. Having a support system

A support system is one of the most valuable things that a mother could have in her life. The support system could include their partner, family, friends, and even social support groups, especially with other mothers. Having a support system helps to lessen the load of motherhood and provides various opportunities for moms to share their experiences. Mothers should be encouraged to communicate their feelings freely within their support groups and system, to get the help they need in matters of mental health.

5. Professional help and resources

Professional resources are a great need in supporting a mother’s mental health. These should be available and accessible to all mothers around the globe. Such resources include parenting classes and counseling services tailored to the needs of mothers. While these mostly help when attended physically, they work similarly when done virtually. Therefore, online resources are equally important and can come in handy for mothers who are unable to leave their homes due to childcare responsibilities or any other reason.

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Final thoughts

Motherhood is rewarding but it is not without challenges that in turn affect women’s mental health. Mental health must become a priority in conversations around motherhood and maternal health in general. Advocating for such awareness in all societies ensures that mothers receive the care they need to thrive both emotionally and mentally.

A happy mother equals a happy family and therefore society, after all.