More than one in five women with postpartum depression keep their anxieties to themselves, new research reveals.
Of these, around half of women claim to have at least one barrier that makes asking for help ‘extremely difficult’ or ‘impossible’, a study found.
Inadequate social support is a key driver behind women keeping such issues inside, the research adds.
Lead author Betty-Shannon Prevatt from North Carolina State University, said: ‘Our study finds that many women who would benefit from treatment are not receiving it, because they don’t tell anyone that they’re dealing with any challenges.
‘We need to make it okay for women to talk about their mental health, so that they can have better access to care.’
More than one in five women with postpartum depression keep their anxieties inside (stock)
How the study was carried out
Researchers from North Carolina State University analysed 211 women who had given birth in the past three years.
The study’s participants completed an online survey, which asked them if they had experienced postpartum depression symptoms and, if so, whether they confided in a healthcare provider.
Healthcare providers were defined as birth companions, lactation consultants, nurses and doctors.
The women were also asked a range of questions relating to their mental health and any obstacles to seeking help.
One in five suffer in silence
Results reveal that 51 percent of the study’s participants reported postpartum depression symptoms, but one in five did not inform a healthcare provider.
Approximately half of the women reported at least one barrier that made asking for help ‘extremely difficult’ or ‘impossible.’
More than one-third of the participants claimed they had less than adequate social support, which prevented them from seeking assistance.
Participants who were unemployed, had a history of mental health problems or suffered severe postpartum depression symptoms were less likely to confide in a healthcare provider.
The findings were published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Inadequate social support is a driver behind women keeping such issues to themselves (stock)
‘We need to make it okay for women to talk about their mental health’
Ms Prevatt said: ‘Our study finds that many women who would benefit from treatment are not receiving it, because they don’t tell anyone that they’re dealing with any challenges.
‘This work highlights the importance of support networks and the need to normalize the wide variety of reactions women have after childbirth.
‘We need to make it okay for women to talk about their mental health, so that they can have better access to care. Working with the people around new mothers may be key.
Co-author Professor Sarah Desmarais added: ‘We don’t just need to teach women how to develop a birth plan, we need to teach them how to develop a social support plan.’