The process of becoming a mother is known as matrescence. This term, coined in 1973 (i), gives dignity and meaning to the whole experience of motherhood rather than limiting women to a diagnosis of post-natal depression (PND). With the birth of a baby, comes the birth of a mother. Matrescence shares with adolescence these things: hormonal fluctuations, changes in the body and a new identity. It is important that the word matrescence is officially recognised as defining this point in a woman's life, in the same way that adolescence is acknowledged. Language is important to give people a shared identity and signpost to others the importance of that cause. We have a dedicated website for it here, detailing resources and support groups in the UK.

Millions of mothers are struggling and it is essential that lasting change occurs to support them emotionally and mentally, with the same weight given to the postnatal as the antenatal period. In the UK at least 1 in 5 mothers experiences PND and many suffer in silence. With suicide as the leading cause of maternal death, too many women are falling through the cracks as their physical, mental and emotional needs go unmet.

Peer support projects such as Mothers Uncovered can stop the development of PND in its tracks. When the mother’s needs are not met, nor are those of her family. The impact on children of maternal depression may include emotional & behavioural problems and special educational needs (ii). It can also have a detrimental impact on a partner's mental health, as well as causing financial problems (iii,iv).

You could well be thinking what will it cost? But not only does the entire fabric of society rely on the unpaid work of mothers, fathers and carers equating to several million pounds a year, in 2014, inadequate maternal care cost the UK £8bn [v] a year, with a comparatively modest £337m required to tackle it.  Why are we playing catch-up instead of investing in preventative measures?

Why does the problem exist? First, because women are not supported adequately around their pregnancy and birth, often seeing several different professionals. A traumatic birth can have a long-term impact on mental health. And once the baby is born, most women are signed off by health professionals after two weeks, as resources are too stretched to support those unless they are extreme cases.

Second, there is still an insistence on dividing mothers into those with ‘baby blues’ (perceived as the vast majority) from those with PND (perceived as a small proportion). To access a PND group you need to be referred by a health professional. There is a shaming stigma of ‘not coping’ and many women do not identify themselves as ‘depressed’. They are feeling and experiencing a wide range of emotions in matrescence.

Third, many women feel they have no one to talk to. Women know how lucky they are to be mothers, so repeatedly deny any of their own needs to the point when they are in a desperate state. There are many mum and baby groups, but they are usually informal drop-ins in which other mothers may appear to be coping much better. Health professional run courses and talking to family and friends can help, but often a woman needs to talk to someone outside of her immediate circle.

So what else is there?

In Brighton and Hove, there is Mothers Uncovered started in 2008 by Maggie Gordon-Walker, a project for her charity Livestock. We have helped nearly 3000 women with our creative peer support groups focused on the mother, led by past participants. Women realise they are not the only ones struggling and they feel less isolated and lonely. Many women say we have quite literally, 'saved their lives.'

Of course it is essential to have the statutory services there; women are very grateful for the care that the NHS provides. However, a lot of women would never get to the stage of severe PND if the right support were there in the first place. If peer support services were given better prominence, the massive burden on the NHS would ease. Most peer support groups come from the third or voluntary sector, meaning they often don't get adequate investment.

In order not to be costing the country millions every year, here is what is needed. 1. Greater investment into specialist birth centres and training more midwives so women feel supported rather than scared and alone.  2. Less stigma in asking for help. 3. Investment into peer support groups to build confidence and community. 4.The term matrescence to be recognised as this transition period into motherhood, when it is normal rather than extreme to experience powerful emotions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Show your support by signing. It is not just about mothers, it’s about everyone, as your upbringing can affect you more than you realise. You can contact us via:  Mothers Uncovered, MatrescenceUK ; Instagram matrescenceuk or Twitter @mothersuncoverd or Matrescence UK

'The Secret Life of Mothers' written by Mothers Uncovered participants, is available to buy on Amazon The Secret Life of Mothers .Or our Secret Life of Mothers podcast  Maggie Gordon-Walker on post-natal support Article in The Guardian 

References

i. by anthropologist Dana Raphael                                                                    ii.Boath EH, Pryce AJ, Cox JL. Postnatal depression: The impact on the family. Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology. 1998.
iii. Burke L. The impact of maternal depression on familial relationships. International Review of Psychiatry. 2003.
iv. Chew-Graham CA, Sharp D, Chamberlain E, Folkes L, Turner KM. Disclosure of symptoms of postnatal depression, the perspectives of health professionals & women. BMC Fam Pract. 2009.
v. Maternal Mental Health Alliance, 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/20/mental-health-care-new-mothers-cost-study