New mums’ epidemic of depression
CORONAVIRUS restrictions are fuelling an epidemic of postnatal depression, a former Cabinet minister is warning today.
Andrea Leadsom is calling for Covid rules to be eased for new mothers who are struggling to cope. The Tory MP, who is leading a government review to give babies the best start in life, said many parents have had a “traumatic time”.
Mrs Leadsom said: “We are staring down the barrel of a real epidemic of postnatal depression and early attachment issues with mums who have been unsupported who struggle to really find their feet.
“It’s going to be better in the next few months but we are not out of the woods yet and we will only know in the fullness of time what the impact is on those babies born in lockdown whose parents have really been unsupported.”
Mrs Leadsom, who has three children, suffered from postnatal depression after the birth of her first baby in 1995.
She said: “What stayed with me was the absolutely awful hopelessness of postnatal depression and how frightening a time it was with this new baby with no instructions.”
Mrs Leadsom has secured a debate today in the Commons on early years support. Around one in seven women have postnatal depression but she fears lockdown has seen the numbers spiral.
Parents have told of feeling isolated and fearful and having a lack of support, she said. She wants the Government to allow new mothers to nominate another adult who can visit them at home if the country is in lockdown.
She also wants services for new mothers to be better joined up.