Mental health of mothers during postpartum improvement when parents stay at home with them

The first weeks or months with the baby at home can be very difficult for families. As we know, no recent mother should spend much time alone, especially while adapting to her new life as a mother, because This can be very heavy for your physical and emotional health.

And what would help to avoid it? According to a recent study, that parents stay at home with mothers, could help improve their mental health. We share your results.

Conducted by researchers at Stanford University, the study analyzed the effects that the parental leave approved in Sweden in 2012 had on families, in which both parents were now allowed to take their respective maternity or paternity leave at the same time.

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Although the permits were of the widest (480 days), previously it was not possible to take them at the same time, and they had to be divided so that the mother took certain dates, and the father took others. With that new law, now it is possible that both take them during the same dates.

Derived from this, the researchers analyzed the impact that this new law had had on families, finding that its effects had been positive on the mental health of mothers, since the fact that fathers had the flexibility to take that time, helped improve the health and well-being of mothers during postpartum.

The study highlights that it is not only about giving the father a paternity leave that is for an extended time, but that it is possible to use it on the days when she needs more support than ever, like the first weeks after delivery.

Among the results that were found, the following stand out:

  • In the first six months after delivery, the prescription of medications to control anxiety decreased by 26%.
  • In the same period, hospitalizations or consultations with a specialist for complications during postpartum decreased by 14%.
  • The prescription of antibiotics was reduced by 11%.

These results were obtained when compared with those of mothers who had a baby and took their maternity leave before the new law that allows both parents to take their paternity leave at the same time.

"The key here is that families were given the facility to decide exactly what days the father needs to be at home. For example, if the mother has early symptoms of a mastitis while breastfeeding, the father can take a couple of days to be with the baby while she rests, which could prevent complications or the need for antibiotics", says Petra Persson, one of the two authors of the study, in a statement published by the University.

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The researchers also point out that, although the percentages seem to be small, they are of the utmost importance, as we know, there are many mothers who suffer from depression or postpartum anxiety, so This could be a good way to continue looking for solutions and measures to help prevent it. or reduce the chances of it occurring.

This study again puts on the table the need for many countries to fight for better maternity and paternity leave, because the presence and accompaniment of the father during the first weeks after delivery It definitely has a positive impact on the health of mothers.

Video: Why Moms Are Miserable. Sheryl Ziegler. TEDxWilmingtonWomen (March 2024).