You see…this birth disappointment may just be putting new mothers at greater risk of Post Natal Anxiety and Depression (1). They begin their mothering journey full of self-doubt, and uncertainty. This can then be compounded by a mothering reality that does not meet their expectations.
PANDA
National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline offers free counselling and support for all new and expecting parents. PANDA National Helpline (Mon to Fri, 9am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT) Call 1300 726 306 |
My own mothering journey led to the writing of The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before. This was a book that almost wrote itself (2). It was a response to the inadequacies of the system, based on stories of my mother-friends and my subsequent journey into doulaing.
I found myself on a mission (3): To provide all women with the means to make informed decisions regarding their pregnancy care, labour, birth and parenting. My hypothesis is that this is the key to helping prevent PND. That by giving women the means to make informed decisions about their birth, and beyond, during their pregnancy we are helping to safe guard families. There is mounting evidence to support this, and a PhD looms in my future to look specifically at the impact of The Birth Map as this means. |
The system requires women to ‘provide informed consent’ for various procedures and interventions. Due to the ‘unpredictable’ nature of birth, this consent is sort in the moment…so is never informed. This is a huge contributor to the feelings of disappointment, and even trauma, increasingly experienced by new (and unsuspecting) parents. The disservice here being that there is a (misguided) assumption that the system cares (5). Midwives care, but are held to account by the system. It is for this reason that I focus on Informed Decisions rather than consent (6).
In order to begin making informed decisions When we do not know what we do not know, we can not begin to be informed. When hindsight reveals the gaps in our knowledge, this is where the sense of failure, disappointment or trauma can arise. We begin to wonder, what else is not known. And without guidance, this breeds anxiety. THREE ELEMENTS TO HELP PREVENT PND:
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Have you ever been told to leave your dignity at the door?
This (well meaning) advice, along with that in the opening statement of this piece, may also accompany “but your baby is healthy…”. This idea that women should be grateful for the state of maternity care is a feminist issue (7). |
Modern Mothering tends to be a very isolating experience. Just as wedding planning focuses on The Big Day, so too does most birth planning.
Informed Birth Preparation includes focusing on life with a new baby. One aspect of this is setting up support for the ‘fourth trimester’. This practical support (chores, meals, help with older siblings) is often enough to help prevent post natal depression. This kind of support acknowledges the importance of mothering and mothers, and ensures they are not isolated and swamped by non-mothering work* by default. *this is called ‘housework’ and is the responsibility of all who dwell in, or even visit, a house. See also: self care are you making mountains out of washing piles |
(1) https://www.panda.org.au/info-support/after-birth/contributing-factors-for-postnatal-depression-or-anxiety
(2) more than just another birth book
(3) Mothers Matter!
(4) Talking about The Birth Map
(5) The care factor
(6) we should be focused on choice not consent
(7) maternal feminism in the brave new world