During pregnancy, mothers go to appointments and follow-up checks to make sure everything is in order and runs normally. However, after the baby is born, those visits to the doctor to continue checking the mothers are drastically reduced and they are not enough.
According to a new survey, it was found that most women tend to forget themselves after childbirth, and that 40% of recent mothers feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed.
The survey, which was conducted in the United States by a network of hospitals and clinics called Orlando Health, analyzed the experience of a group of mothers during the famous "fourth quarter", that is, the first three months after the arrival of the baby.
As expected and as happens to most mothers, after the birth of our baby and the beginning of this fourth quarter, our priorities change completely and all attention is now on the health and well-being of the baby. This is normal and part of our instinct and responsibilities as mothers.
In Babies and more The reality of the lack of attention and care for mothers in the postpartum, in a post that has gone viralHowever, when this happens, it happens in many cases that our own health as mothers, happens at the end of our list of priorities, in a stage where we still need attention and care, because our body has just undergone a great transformation full of both physical and psychological changes.
The study, in which surveys of recent mothers were conducted, found that more than a quarter of the mothers did not have any health plans nor did they know how or what they should do to care for it during this stage, and that More than 40% of them said they felt anxious, overwhelmed or depressed during those first three months after delivery.
Among other things, this research also found that many women have a hard time asking for postpartum help, mainly because of the changes they experienced, since 37% of respondents said they felt too ashamed of all the changes that were happening in their body after delivery, who avoided discussing these issues with their doctor.
Why postpartum care is important for mothers
In Babies and more We have spoken on several occasions about all the changes that the mother experiences during the postpartum period and how important and necessary it is to have greater attention and care for them during this stage. It is true, baby's health is a priority, but so must the mother's.
Receiving better care during postpartum does not only refer to physical changes in your body after the birth of the baby, but also of the Psychological changes They live after childbirth. It is at this stage when women are more vulnerable and sensitive, trying to adjust to their new life as mothers, while their body and mind recover.
Better attention during this fourth quarter, not only helps women better understand the changes their body is having (and that happens to us all), but also, could help prevent and detect anxiety or postpartum depression early, which as we have seen in other studies, one in five recent mothers conceals that they suffer.
Similarly, receive adequate care during the first months after the baby is born, could help solve many of the problems and difficulties that some mothers have with breastfeeding, which some parents consider could be a cause of depression, due to the feeling that a mother may have of having failed or feeling that they are not able to feed their babies.
In Babies and more Do not skip visits to the gynecologist and midwife after delivery: they are essentialWhat can we do to feel better after delivery
For most women it is often very difficult to ask for help during postpartum, especially because they are focused on everything related to caring for their baby, but we must be aware that also the health and emotional well-being of the mother is important.
Going with the gynecologist or medical staff after delivery is essential, because with him we can talk freely about all the changes and doubts we have about our body at this stage, and we should not hide or feel ashamed of whatever is happening to us. The best will always be to ask for help.
And speaking of asking for help, something that is also important during the stage is having a support network, either with our own family, or finding a group of mothers who are going through the same during pregnancy, even the simple one made of Having someone to talk to about what is happening can make a big change and help us realize that we are not alone..
In Babies and more Your mental health also matters: why you should take care of it when you are a motherIf you have feelings of depression, sadness or loneliness, which continue beyond the first few weeks after the birth of your baby, talk to your doctorWell, you could be going through a postpartum depression.
And remember: we all go through the same thing and according to a recent study, it takes us at least six months to adapt to motherhood and feel safe again. So be patient and kind to yourself, Remember that you are also a priority and do not hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it.
Photos | iStock
Via | Parents
