What are the announcements of the Secretary of State for Children, Adrien Taquet, on the care of mothers with postpartum depression? Perinatal psychiatrist Fanny Jacq explains what she thinks.
- Postpartum depression can affect anyone, but the women who are most at risk of having it are those who have already had postpartum depression or classic depression; have had a complicated pregnancy or childbirth; live in unfavorable socioeconomic conditions (financial difficulties, separation, isolation, etc.).
– Why doctor: A “systematic interview around the fifth week after childbirth” will be introduced in early 2022 to identify postpartum depression. This was announced by the Secretary of State for Children Adrien Taquet during the Mental Health Conference in Paris. What do you think of this initiative?
Fanny Jacq – I can only be delighted with this initiative, because you have to start with something. However, this measure is not sufficient. First, because this type of depression can set in during pregnancy. In this case, a postpartum interview comes too late, because the mother is already sick. Then, the peak of postpartum depression is rather around three months postpartum, so an interview at the fifth week after birth will not detect all the sick mothers.
– In your opinion, should other things be put in place?
I think that a long-term psychological follow-up would be more effective than a one-off appointment with young mothers. The idea would be to integrate a psychological dimension into the overall course of maternity, in the same way as ultrasounds or appointments with the midwife, for example. Health professionals should also be better trained in postpartum depression, for example by integrating a teaching module centered on this pathology, in particular for interns in general medicine and gynecology. Finally, more generally, more prevention should be done on mental health as a whole.
– Adrien Taquet also wants to open “5 to 10 new joint parent-baby care units”. In which case should one turn to this type of structure?
The “mother/child units” are psychiatric hospitalization structures for mothers who suffer from a severe depressive episode or puerperal psychosis. Single and precarious women are also a priority.
– How does it work?
Young mothers in difficulty are hospitalized with their baby, and cared for by a multidisciplinary team (nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, pediatrician, etc.).
– 5 to 10 more units, is that enough?
This is very good, but largely insufficient. The structures already in place are overwhelmed with requests.
– When a woman opens up to health professionals about psychiatric problems related to her motherhood, does she not risk seeing her child placed by social services?
Yes, it happens to place children in foster families, but it is relatively rare. In the “mother/child units”, it is a decision taken by a multidisciplinary team, which intervenes when there is a danger to the baby.
– Every year, 100,000 women sink into postpartum depression, but many are not diagnosed, in particular because this subject is still taboo in France. What are the risks of not treating this mental illness?
If not properly treated by medical professionals, postpartum depression can last up to three years. This pathology can therefore lead to significant collateral damage, such as couple problems, financial and professional worries, additive behavior, etc.
Untreated, postpartum depression will also return more easily in life. It’s a bit like a sprain that is not treated or badly: all it takes is a very small fall to injure yourself again.
Finally, postpartum depression that drags on will have consequences for the child, who may be more anxious and shy than average. A depressed mother or father will not develop the same quality of emotional bond with their baby as healthy parents.
– In a podcast that has been relayed a lot on social networks, a young woman says that her mother committed suicide after suffering from postpartum depression. Is it actually a risk?
Absolutely. Postpartum depression can lead to suicide and infanticide, or both at the same time. It’s rare, but it does happen.
– It is less known, but men are also affected by postpartum depression. In what proportion?
It’s even more taboo for men than for women, but about 18% of fathers are affected by postpartum depression. This is why I am campaigning to set up psychological follow-up interviews for fathers or for couples during and after pregnancy.
– How should they be taken care of?
In the same way as depressed mothers: with psychological monitoring and if necessary medication.
– Are the symptoms also similar?
In fathers, postpartum depression is often manifested by a lack of interest, which is sometimes mistaken for “laziness”: they may be reluctant, for example, to change nappies or give the bath, come home as late as possible from work so that the baby is already in bed, etc…
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