Baby blues before birth on the rise
Belfast - Ulsters' expectant mothers could be suffering from the baby blues even before the baby is born, new research has revealed.
While as many as one in seven new moms experience depression after the birth of their baby, new research now suggests one in 10 moms-to-be can suffer from "ante-natal depression" as well.
The research, carried out by baby charity Tommy's, showed three in five of the 1 000 pregnant women surveyed were surprised by the intensity of their emotions. More than half needed more reassurance than they anticipated.
Experts say the problem could be triggered by the stress of combining a busy social life with the pregnancy, as well as all the tests expectant mothers now face.
Annette Briley, from Tommy, explained: "People put pressure on themselves to be perfect.
"Previous generations thought to be good enough was okay; now people think they have to be the best."
Briley, who works as a midwife, said pressure to match up to celebrities who bloom during pregnancy and get back into shape soon after giving birth is a factor, as is the trend to live further away from relatives.
"Today we live much more isolated lives, whereas previous generations probably lived down the road from their mom or sister. And that means women do not have the same support network," she explained.
"Post-natal depression used to have a real stigma attached to it, but woman are more willing now to get help and not suffer in silence for so long.
"We need ante-natal depression to be talked about in the same terms." - Belfast Telegraph
While as many as one in seven new moms experience depression after the birth of their baby, new research now suggests one in 10 moms-to-be can suffer from "ante-natal depression" as well.
The research, carried out by baby charity Tommy's, showed three in five of the 1 000 pregnant women surveyed were surprised by the intensity of their emotions. More than half needed more reassurance than they anticipated.
Experts say the problem could be triggered by the stress of combining a busy social life with the pregnancy, as well as all the tests expectant mothers now face.
Annette Briley, from Tommy, explained: "People put pressure on themselves to be perfect.
"Previous generations thought to be good enough was okay; now people think they have to be the best."
Briley, who works as a midwife, said pressure to match up to celebrities who bloom during pregnancy and get back into shape soon after giving birth is a factor, as is the trend to live further away from relatives.
"Today we live much more isolated lives, whereas previous generations probably lived down the road from their mom or sister. And that means women do not have the same support network," she explained.
"Post-natal depression used to have a real stigma attached to it, but woman are more willing now to get help and not suffer in silence for so long.
"We need ante-natal depression to be talked about in the same terms." - Belfast Telegraph
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