Mother’s unwanted legacy . . .

POST-NATAL depression is a worryingly common condition, affecting one in nine women.

While the risks to the women themselves are well-known (the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths reports that suicide was the number one cause of death in new mothers), research published this week revealed it can have a serious impact on the baby, too.

The researchers found that not only did the babies have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol but that they showed signs of stress at a cellular level, with damage to the ends of the chromosomes suggesting serious cellular wear and tear.

It is further confirmation that though we tend to treat mental and physical health differently, the two are deeply intertwined.

For the babies, it’s not all bad news however. The researchers point out that while infancy is a sensitive time to be exposed to negative events, the flip side is that love and nurturing at this stage can have a profoundly positive effect on them and their long-term health.

That is why we owe it to the next generation to ensure that all mothers receive the best mental health care possible.