The arrival of a new baby is undoubtedly amazing, but it’s also stressful, overwhelming and changes the parents’ lives in every way. Of course, there are also sleepless nights to contend with and a great deal of worry about caring for this new little person. Nothing really prepares you for the experience!

Bearing in mind the impact of a new arrival, both physically and emotionally, it’s not surprising that in a recent study conducted by the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), which looked at a group of 1,000 post-natal mothers, half of these women were experiencing emotional or mental health issues. However, it’s concerning that these mums aren’t accessing the help they need, and when left untreated, they risk longer-term effects on their health, which may also impact their children. Finding that 82% of women who received treatment said it made a difference, Netmums and the NCT have launched the #hiddenhalf campaign to fight for funding for a dedicated maternal six-week check at the mother’s GP practice.

It’s recommended that an appointment is booked for a check at their GP practice six weeks after the baby and mother leave hospital. Following the decline in the number of health visitor interactions and midwife visiting services, it’s even more important that these appointments take place. In theory, this is an opportunity for the clinician to assess the well-being of the mum and baby, but in reality, the NCT found that*:

• Nearly a third (31%) of new mothers had less than three minutes to discuss their own health at the appointment; the appointment was focused on the baby.
• Around a sixth (16%) of mums were given no time at all to discuss their own health.
• A quarter (25%) of mothers weren’t asked about their emotional or mental health during the appointment.

Post-natal depression has a lasting effect on families, and while some new mums may have a support network in place, there are many who don’t. These mums require intervention from a healthcare professional as they may not feel able to broach the subject or make an appointment to address their concerns about their own mental health. Official guidance (NICE Clinical Guideline CG37**) encourages doctors to enquire about the mother’s emotional well-being, and the six-week appointment gives the GP the opportunity to spot and discuss any mental health problems that may be developing.

The NCT and Netmums are working together to call for funding to allow GP practices to provide mothers with their own dedicated appointment. Without funding in place, this can’t happen. At present, the maternal six-week check has to be fitted into the routine appointment schedule, and with no specific funding, in an increasingly overworked surgery, it’s easy to overlook. It’s estimated that the cost of funding maternal appointments would amount to £20 million per annum. Compared with the £8 billion cost of tackling maternal mental health each year***, this should be an achievable amount.

Find out more about the campaign here at the NCT. You can help by getting your practice involved in the campaign and raising awareness of post-natal mental health. Share the campaign news on your Facebook and Twitter accounts using the hashtag #hiddenhalf and help to make a difference.

Sources

*NCT https://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/media/news/nct-and-netmums-less-three-minutes-for-new-mums-mental-health**National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline [CG37] Postnatal care up to 8 weeks after birth. Published date: July 2006. Last updated: February 2015 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg37/ *** https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/04.PB_.17.12.15-Allocations.pdf