New Moms, Mental Health and COVID-19

“It takes a village to raise a child”, so the saying goes, but how could new parents let their village help when there were COVID-19 physical distancing measures and restrictions? Even as restrictions begin to be lifted, many parents are still hesitant in allowing their babies and young children to experience a wider social circle when they are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is very common for new mothers to experience mood disturbances during the postpartum period (Best Start, 2020). Being a new mother already comes with many stressors. Over the past two years, mothers parenting a newborn had additional stressors of stay-at-home orders and continue to have worries of exposing their little ones to COVID-19. During a global pandemic, where we were told to do our part and stay apart, new mothers have found their mental health at even more risk with increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. Traditionally, new mothers have relied on social connections to help them cope during postpartum. 

COVID-19 physical distancing recommendations imposed restrictions on social connections at a time when mothers may especially rely on friends and family. In-person support groups, playgroups, and workshops were disrupted, making it difficult to form new relationships with other mothers. Also, the usual post-birth celebrations and much-anticipated gatherings were discouraged – a significant loss for many women. 

The decrease in social supports at a time of need has affected maternal well-being. A lack of social support, with increased isolation throughout pregnancy and postpartum, can contribute to poor maternal mental health outcomes including stress, anxiety, and depression (Best Start, 2020). 

Fortunately, there are many ways to connect with friends, family, and other new parents which can help ease feelings of loneliness and isolation: 

• Work out with other moms over zoom/virtual exercise classes 
• Use video chats to introduce your newborn to friends and family 
• Join an online mom support group
• As weather allows, choose to meet outside whenever possible
• Family and EarlyON Child and Family Centres are operating with revised program schedules and protocols due to COVID-19 precautions. They have virtual programming as well as outdoor and indoor groups: https://familyinfo.ca/Services/List/10600/Family_Centres
• Stay informed about what you can do when meeting others in person in order to keep you and your family safe and healthy: https://www.healthunit.com/covid-19-prevent-the-spread

 

Remember you are never alone. If you have any questions, see https://www.healthunit.com/pmh, contact your Health Care Provider or call the Health Unit to speak to a Public Health Nurse – (519)-663-5317, Monday to Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM 

 

Reference: 

Best Start by Health Nexus. (2020). Life with a new baby is not always what you expect. Retrieved from: https://resources.beststart.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/M03-E.pdf

 

Submitted by Ashley Constancio, Western-Fanshawe Nursing Year-4
For the Middlesex-London Community Early Years Partnership