Many mothers experience worry and self-blame after giving birth

Many mothers experience worry and self-blame after giving birth

A new study from Aarhus University shows that it is normal for many mothers to feel anxious and overwhelmed after childbirth. The researchers hope the study’s findings will encourage better conversations between new mothers and healthcare professionals.

Most parents can probably relate to that overwhelming mix of responsibility, love and uncertainty when the birth is over, and you are suddenly on your way home with a new tiny human being.

Now, a new study from the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University shows that a significant amount of mothers experience strong symptoms of worry and insecurity, says postdoc Mette-Marie Zacher Kjeldsen, who led the study.

“When we screen new mothers after childbirth, the purpose is to identify symptoms of a postpartum depression. But our study shows that it is completely normal for mothers without depression to also struggle and grapple with many intense emotions and uncertainties in the period after giving birth.”

The new study shows that feelings of insecurity and anxiety, without any obvious cause, are a natural part of parenthood. But it is rarely something mothers speak openly about.

“We hope our results can help normalise and acknowledge the many different reactions to motherhood. This may reduce stigma and feelings of guilt among new mothers and perhaps also improve the quality of the conversations they have with healthcare professionals after giving birth. It is important that they can talk about their insecurities – even if they do not have postpartum depression.”

She also hopes the study will be used as a concrete and practical tool by healthcare professionals when discussing mental wellbeing in the postnatal period.

“The study can serve as a conversation starter during the screening offered eight weeks after childbirth in Denmark. It could become a tool for health visitors in their discussions with mothers and perhaps make it easier for them to open up about difficult emotions. Hopefully, it can also help reduce stigma around emotional challenges after giving birth.”

The research - more information:

• Study type: Descriptive study
• Collaborators: Conducted in collaboration between the Centre for Register-based Research at AU and SDU
• External funding: Lundbeck (grant no. 32691)
• Conflicts of interest: None
• Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Yes
• Link: https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/ebmental/28/1/e301819.full.pdf

Contact

Postdoc Mette-Marie Zacher Kjeldsen
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University
Mail: mmzk@ph.au.dk
Telefon: 50881089