What is it about?
High rates of anxiety, depression, marital dissatisfaction and significant issues related to identity for women as new mothers is being fueled by a failure of institutions, including the workplace, to keep pace with cultural change. This paper argues for the early years health services to respond to issues related to the Transition to Parenthood so as to assist couples navigate significant tensions between the workplace and the requirements of care.
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Why is it important?
The family is a cornerstone of our social system. There is an important body of research arguing for improved support for young families; this is in the interest of the health and welfare of both men and women, but furthermore for their infants and children.
Perspectives
The birth of an infant is an event of high social and cultural significance, however, over the course of the twentieth century the early years health services have been primarily about infant health and the physical recovery of women. There is a need for these services to incorporate a public health approach that includes a holistic response to maternal health that importantly recognises the social and cultural context of birth.
Dr Joan Garvan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: At the crossroads: the health and welfare of new mothers, Contemporary Nurse, October 2016, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10376178.2016.1248457.
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