Maternal Mental Health

Maternal mental health week takes place from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th May and the theme this year is “Community:  Being part of a safe positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing”.  Here at Hummingbird Holistics, we support all who walk through our door and have a thriving safe community to help you thrive and not just survive. 

Specialising in women’s health this is a subject close to my heart and practice.  Many women can feel anxious or emotional the first few days after giving birth and it can last for a few weeks (often referred to as ‘baby blues’) for some it is more than that and specialist support may be needed.  

According to NHS “Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.  It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.”

Guidance from the NHS website states:

“The "baby blues" do not last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth.

If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.

Signs that you or someone you know might be depressed include:

·        a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

·        lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

·        lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

·        trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

·        finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby

·        withdrawing from contact with other people

·        problems concentrating and making decisions

·        frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby

Many women do not realise they have postnatal depression because it can develop gradually.” (NHS).

Antenatal depression can start when you are pregnant and may not necessarily lead to postnatal depression if the correct help and support is provided. 

Guidance from the NHS website states:

Signs and symptoms of antenatal depression include:

·        feeling sad, a low mood, or tearful a lot of the time

·        feeling irritable, or getting angry easily

·        losing interest in other people and the world around you

·        not wanting to eat or eating more than usual

·        negative thoughts, such as worrying you will not be able to look after your baby

·        feeling guilty, hopeless or blaming yourself for your problems

·        having problems concentrating or making decisions

(NHS)

Postnatal depression (PND), and depression in pregnancy known as ‘antenatal depression’ (AND) are both common, affecting more than 1 in 10 women.  PND and AND can be mild, moderate of severe and can appear gradually or quite suddenly.  There are many things you can do to help yourself or loved one.  Firstly, acknowledging you may have PND or AND then secondly speaking to your GP or health visitor is always a good option to get the correct support or care you may need and most make a full recovery.

Reflexology and Aromatherapy can be powerful interventions to help and support you on your path to recovery and balance.   I have used and agree with the aromatherapy recommendations Denise Tiran references in her book ‘Aromatherapy in Midwifery practice’ (2016).  Denise recommends ‘clary sage, jasmine for postnatal depression Frankincense to calm Bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin/tangerine, neroli, orange to uplift lavender to relax [sic]’.  She also states that the ‘massage should be brisk and light, not deep and slow, to avoid exacerbating depression’.  I would also suggest that reflexology would be a good option here to help reset the nervous system and place the body into rest and digest.  Clary sage and jasmine are contraindicated in pregnancy.  Clary sage can assist with natural labour from 38 weeks onward.  

In my clinical aromatherapy practice I blend and inform of the correct use of these highly concentrated oils, so the correct amount is administered as the safety in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal support is recognised.  Essential oils work in the same way as pharmacological drugs and have the power to be beneficial and in the same breath can be potentially harmful if misused.  When I work with fertility, pregnant, and postnatal woman I always check contraindications and precautions to ensure safe use and practice.   

The information provided on this website is for therapeutic and educational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice.  Consult a General Practitioner (GP) or Pharmacist if you seek medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

References and bibliography

Tiran, D.  (2016) Aromatherapy in Midwifery practice. (Kindle Version) Singing Dragon.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/overview/ last accessed 19.05.25

Woelk, H. and Schläfke, S.  (2010) A multi-centre, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalised anxiety disorder.  Phytomedicine 17, 2, 94-99.