Letter to the Editor: Maternal Mental Health

Dear Editor,

Prior to the pandemic, as many as 1 in 5 mums and 1 in 10 dads experienced perinatal mental health problems during pregnancy and within the year after birth. This last year has placed additional pressures on expectant and new parents at an already challenging time.

We are concerned that many more mothers, fathers and partners may have unidentified or untreated perinatal mental health problems which may make it more difficult for them to provide the sensitive care that babies need.

This Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, we urge any expectant or new parents who are struggling with their mental health to speak to their midwife, health visitor or GP.

The opening of the mother and baby unit in Swansea this month (April) has been a crucial, step forward in providing specialist perinatal mental health care for families in Wales. It provides specialist inpatient care for mums, while allowing them to remain with their babies, and is a credit to those who’ve campaigned for it and developed it.

But there’s still more to do to ensure all parents can access the right support, which is why we’re urging all Senedd candidates to commit to providing adequate investment for good quality specialist perinatal mental health services, including an accessible mother and baby unit for families in North Wales.

To show their support, readers can sign our Fight for a Fair Start campaign petition: bit.ly/2NTDE5X.

Dr Sarah Witcombe-Hayes

Senior Policy Researcher

NSPCC Cymru/Wales