Maternal health and health care in 150 Auckland mothers.

One hundred and fifty Auckland mothers of preschoolers were interviewed about their mental health, child rearing problems and the medical care sought for these. There was a high level of satisfaction with motherhood, and with the quantity and quality of family medical care. However, stress and psychosomatic symptoms were common, though frank depression unusual. Only occasionally was medical care sought and psychotropic drugs prescribed for these problems which were handled by stoicism, extended family and community support. Sleep problems in children were common and often resulted in medical consultation and prescription of antihistamines. Except in this respect there was no evidence of medical overtones.