Women's views and experiences of having their mental health needs considered in the perinatal period.

OBJECTIVE

To explore women's views and experiences of having their mental health needs considered in the perinatal period in an Irish maternity hospital setting.

DESIGN

A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was used to explore women's views and experiences. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006).

SETTING

A voluntary maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland which had access to a perinatal mental health team.

PARTICIPANTS

In total 8 women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and participated in this study. The women were interviewed in the early postpartum period.

FINDINGS

The study offers important insights into how women feel about having their mental health needs considered in the perinatal period. Women reported pregnancy was an emotional time, feeling expected to be happy, and women with significant mental health histories preferred not to be referred to available services unless they asked for help. Women reported barriers to disclosure including stigma/shame, lack of time. Screening tools were viewed with mixed opinions. In getting help, the baby was a motivator for some women, attitudes of healthcare professionals and lack of time affected this.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Women appreciated all methods of enquiry about their mental health and being given time to discuss concerns with healthcare professionals. Perceived busy staff workloads was a barrier in asking for help, as was lack of continuity of care. Screening tools were viewed as a tick box exercise, but also as a 'modality' to assist detection of women at risk. Mental health enquiry focused on depression and anxiety, with little or no enquiry about less common disorders. Women with significant histories were less likely to engage or accept referral to perinatal mental health services, preferring to access help if they felt they needed to.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

HCPs should enquire regularly about women's emotional wellbeing at every antenatal and postnatal contact, offering support where required. Detailed enquiry about mental health should encompass the broad spectrum of perinatal mental health problems, including but not limited to depression and anxiety. Screening tools can assist in the identification of women at risk of developing perinatal mental health problems. A specialist mental health midwife should link with high-risk women at the first antenatal booking visit and provide information on early intervention and access to services.