PSN 2019 Maternal Mental Health Conference

“And then we weren’t: Maternal mental health and Rising above Loss”

Date: 4th May 2019

Time: 8 AM

Venue: Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

Nigeria has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Unfortunately, to add to that, statistics show that 5-15 % of confirmed pregnancies in mothers will end up as miscarriages or stillbirths. Pregnancy loss is a shocking and traumatic event for mothers and their families.

Studies have shown that there is an association between adverse perinatal outcomes and postpartum depression. Multiple losses, prior history of infertility, loss of a planned pregnancy, previous history of mental ill health amongst others further increase the risk of mental health challenges in subsequent pregnancies. Making pregnancy loss a key risk factor for postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the course of our work, PSN Africa educates and screens predominantly mothers in antenatal and postnatal clinics, women who still have their babies in their arms. What about those who had miscarriages or stillbirths? These women and their spouses often hide in the shadows nursing their pain. Some go on to develop postpartum depression. Our society is often insensitive towards them and most health workers are ill-equipped to cater to their emotional needs.

In 2019, drawing a thread from our last panel discussion at with Tito Idakula and Lolo, we want to focus on maternal mental health as pertains to women and families who have lost babies.