Postnatal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: The needs and experiences of New Zealand mothers and health care providers.
Amelia Ryan, Carol Barber
PMID 36191380WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers described feeling isolated and financially stressed, with postnatal appointments focusing almost entirely on the baby.
They reported a lack of practical support and difficulty accessing mental health care, while providers noted gaps in training and service capacity.
Key findings
01Participants identified five key themes: uncertainty and anxiety, financial and work stress, the importance of social support ('the village'), inner resilience, and a perceived lack of care for the mother's mental health.
02Mothers reported that postnatal appointments were heavily focused on the baby's physical growth, leaving little time or connection for discussing their own mental wellbeing.
03Healthcare providers noted that restrictions prevented partners from attending appointments, which hindered the practical and emotional support women needed during the postnatal period.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study did not recruit any Māori participants, despite specific efforts, meaning the findings do not represent the experiences of the indigenous population who are overrepresented in mental health statistics. Participants were all based in Auckland, the most populous region, so the findings may not apply to rural or smaller urban areas. The sample size was small (eight mothers and three providers), limiting the transferability of the themes. The study is cross-sectional, capturing views at one moment in time rather than tracking changes over the course of the pandemic.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources are reported in the supplied text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions reduce postnatal depression. This study describes the lived experience and perceived needs of a small group of women; it does not test the efficacy of any treatment or service model.