Double "Postpartum Depression" -Don't suffer alone October 16th, 13:29

"Even though everyone is doing their best in Corona ... Is it the only one who is doing this?" It

is a word of a woman who suffers from the symptoms of "postpartum depression".

“The number of mothers with possible'postpartum depression'has doubled due to the effects of the new coronavirus,” said a serious study that medical professionals said were “shocking”.

(Social Department reporter Hinako Fujita)

Isolated mother

"I'm afraid to go out because I'm worried about infection ... I can't talk about childcare. I'm worried about anything and suddenly tears spill. I really don't know why. Why am I crying? I wonder ... "

A woman in her thirties who gave birth to her eldest daughter in May in the midst of a state of emergency in Tokyo.

I wanted many people to know about "postpartum depression", so he chose a timing when he was in a relatively good physical condition and responded to the interview.

It is said that the birth in the corona sickness was completely different from what was originally planned.

As the self-restraint from going out continues, the class for pregnant women by the local government will be canceled, and the day of childbirth will come without sufficient information that we wanted to know about baby care and postpartum physical care.

On the day of the event, I was unable to attend my husband's schedule due to infection control.

I gave birth by myself wearing a mask.

After that, I was not allowed to visit my husband and family while I was in the hospital, and I could not share the joy of childbirth.

Woman

"I was wearing a mask from the time of water rupture to discharge, and I didn't feel like I could talk to other mothers. I was worried about raising my child for the first time, I was anxious about being alone without talking to anyone, and I was worried about Corona. I couldn't sleep at all. "

Even after returning home, women are worried about infections and cannot go out, and regardless of who they are, they are busy raising children by themselves.

Group medical examinations and child-rearing support gatherings have also been canceled or postponed.

There is no "mom friend".

I became depressed and tears began to flow.

Nowadays, I get sudden abdominal pain many times a week, I can't get out of the bathroom, and I can't even comfort my crying child.

Woman

"I think it would be easier and more reassuring if I could meet people in person and talk to them, but now that I can do such things, I'm always worried. I don't know what I'm worried about. …. I have a lot of ups and downs and I want to ask for help but no one. I want Corona to disappear now. "

I (reporter) who interviewed also gave birth to a child last year.

It was only a year different, but the environment for childbirth and childcare was completely different from my experience.

When I wasn't turning the camera for the interview, the woman muttered in a small voice, "Everyone is doing their best in Corona ... I wonder if I'm the only one doing this."

I answered, "That's not the case."

Really, that's not the case.

Double risk of "postpartum depression" in 1 in 4

The latest research by researchers has revealed that mothers across the country are now in a serious situation.

In October, Associate Professor Midori Matsushima and a midwife at the University of Tsukuba conducted a survey of "postpartum depression" through "Body Note" and "Baby Calendar", which provide child-rearing-related apps.

The survey used the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Questionnaire, which was developed in the United Kingdom to confirm the state of mind of mothers, and asked prenatal and postnatal women 10 questions about their psychological state over the past week. I did.

As a result, of the 2132 mothers who were less than a year old, about 24% of the 2132 mothers were likely to have "postpartum depression" in the preliminary figures.

Obstetricians and gynecologists have been calling attention to the fact that about 10% of mothers develop "postpartum depression" based on the opinion of WHO = World Health Organization, but this survey result doubles. It became clear that there was a possibility that the number would increase.

It is believed that the effects of the new coronavirus have significantly reduced opportunities to interact with people and go out, and financial instability such as a drop in income.

In addition, the study found that approximately two-thirds of mothers with possible "postpartum depression" were unaware that they were depressed.

It has been pointed out that there is a risk that the symptoms will worsen without seeking help from others or receiving appropriate treatment, and the need for active support.

Associate Professor Matsushima specializes in public policy and conducted this survey in an attempt to provide information to government and medical institutions.

Associate Professor Matsushima

"As society gradually regains its daily routine, nearly a quarter of mothers still tend to be depressed, so the problem does not seem to be transient."

Associate Professor Matsushima will continue to conduct surveys in the future.

Medical professionals who have learned of the findings are shocked.

Dr. Yoshiyuki Tachibana of the National Center for Child Health and Development, who specializes in prenatal and postnatal mental health, points out that society as a whole should pay attention to the problem, not just the mother's problem.

Dr. Tachibana

"It is a shocking result because it is suspected that a very high percentage of mothers may be physically and mentally ill. The burden on mothers is heavier than before Corona, and it is easy for them to become" postpartum depression ". May be

It also emphasizes that many mothers who are suspected of having "postpartum depression" are unaware that they are in danger.

Dr. Tachibana

"I often don't notice my mental problems myself, and especially when I'm doing my best, I think" I can't vomit soft sounds "and" I have to do my best for my baby ", and even if I'm a little sick, I push my feelings. It can be killed or denied. If left unchecked, it can be tiring and reach its limits, so people around you need to be aware of it and help. "

3 Supporting mothers avoiding secrets

How to support a mother after childbirth.

In consideration of infection prevention, new child-rearing support initiatives have begun in the style of "walking" outdoors.

In Yokohama City, the volunteer group "Machi no Aibo", which supports mothers before and after childbirth, has mainly provided face-to-face consultations indoors.

However, since it became difficult due to the influence of the new coronavirus, we have been holding child-rearing support in the style of "walking" outdoors since July.

The aim is to have mothers, who tend to stay at home, create opportunities to connect with the community.

On September 17, when I interviewed, about 20 parents and children, including a mother who was 5 months old, participated and walked around the local shopping district.

We visited a store that sells ingredients that can be used for baby food and delicatessen items that can be eaten quickly, and volunteer group members asked the store staff to watch over their mothers, who tend to be isolated.

When a person at the delicatessen shop said, "I'll do whatever I can, I can divide it into small pieces for children and then hand them over," the mothers smiled, "It helps." I answered with.

After a walk, we had lunch in the park.

The baby is taken care of by a woman in a volunteer group so that the mothers can eat and talk slowly.

The mothers consulted with each other about their concerns and received childcare advice from the participating midwives.

Mother who participated (30's)

"It's been a while since I had a meal without children. I wanted to go out, but I didn't have a place to go in a self-restraint mood. I'm glad I might have been withdrawn all the time without such a chance. is"

Mr. Sticka:

"Because of the influence of Corona, I'm in a situation where I can't say the word'difficult'to other people. The conversation has decreased dramatically, and I'm no longer being told,'It's hard to raise children, I'm doing my best.' Masu. Talking while walking side by side is easy to understand, and it should be encouraging to raise children by interacting with parents who have children of the same age. "

Father is the last fort

The role of the father who is close to us is becoming more and more important to support the isolated mother.

Training for fathers has also begun among some companies.

This is because lack of family support, such as “one-operated childcare,” in which the mother raises her child alone, is also considered to be a factor that increases the risk of postpartum depression.

Of these, the Bank of Yokohama and the Chiba Bank jointly held an "in-house parents class" with the cooperation of the NPO "Fathering Japan" that supports male participation in childcare.

Manabu Tsukagoshi, an NPO that raises three children himself, became the instructor, and especially in Corona, he called for his father's participation in childcare to be the "last bastion" to prevent his mother from being isolated.

Mr. Tsukagoshi

"It

's

hard to give birth, but the real battle is after childbirth. I think you can imagine a baby with a gentle smile, but it's not. I cry really often. Women are raising children 24 hours a day. However, the husband who is uncooperative with child-rearing is regarded as an enemy due to the influence of hormones. It is important to cut the starting line of child-rearing together. "

The father who received the training commented, "It was an opportunity to reconsider the division of childcare and housework that I had somehow felt like doing."

Masaki Takamatsu, Director, Diversity & Inclusion Promotion Office, Bank of Yokohama (at that time)

"I think it is very important for the company to open a parent class and disseminate childcare as a couple within the company, as it is difficult to communicate with anyone other than the family due to the corona. "

Masu

"

Director, Yumiko Mioka, Diversity Promotion Department, Bank of Yokohama

"From the impressions of the participants, it became clear that they were raising children more lonely than expected due to the corona sickness. Since the fulfillment of the family also leads to the motivation of employees. I think it makes sense to reach out to parents, including their father. "

"Awareness" of people close to you

The support and awareness of people close to us are important because of the corona wreck.

"Postpartum depression" can be any person, no matter how strong or healthy.

It's not uncommon for me to be unable to talk to someone or issue SOS.

If you are worried about someone near you, consider connecting to a counseling or medical institution.

Don't worry alone

Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the environment for raising children has changed significantly.

Watch the growth of your child by your side and make them happy together.

Ask someone to say, "You're doing your best. Are you okay?"

During the interview, I felt how important such a small support was to the mothers.

Do you have a hard time, moms raising children?

In such a case, please ask for help.

Consider consulting with a reliable person around you, a local health center / health center, or going to a psychosomatic medicine department.

Reporter of the Social Affairs Department

Hinako Fujita　

Joined the station in 2010 After working at the Akita and Sendai stations, was in charge of trial coverage at the Social Affairs Department.

Returned from childcare leave in July.