The stats around feeling supported by your medical professionals post-partum really resonated with me. It boggles my mind that my baby had a pediatrician as soon as 2 days after birth but I had... no one...? My OBGYN, who is very good, is an OBGYN. They dont deal with the mental and non-gynecological physical changes a human undergoes after giving birth. The gap was so stark and it was visible part of the lack-of-support iceberg.
Sri, I agree wholeheartedly. I keep coming back to exactly what you said that there is immediate follow up for the baby but the mom only gets a brief check up at 6 weeks!
As a pediatrician, I see this in action, every day, with my newborn patients’ families. We see the newborn so frequently in their 1st month and I always always ask the parent(s) how they are doing, and the overwhelm is immense. I’m sure folks don’t even share their whole picture w me, bc I’m their child’s healthcare provider. We 100% need better support for families, full stop, but esp families of the youngest babes.
Thank you for your work with our youngest children! I agree that most families hide their overwhelm especially with their pediatricians. I just wish we had some of the models in the US we see in other countries.
Pretty sure there’s a lot of nature involved in that. Basic instinct to care for newborn at the peril of one’s own health.
I also think there is a lot of the US healthcare system in that. In France you get midwives/nurses/physio routinely etc post partum along with check ups with your primary care doctor.
Thank you for sharing this. Yes, the survey is done of US based moms mostly and our care is so much different (not in a good way) than places like France. We need to model our system off of yours.
It honestly amazes me how the US social/medical care system is just accepted.
Yes I pay a lot in taxes but you do get value for money from that...the support given here for having kids is pretty great. It’s not the longest maternity leave but it’s full pay and if you want you can pretty much take as long as you like and still have a job to go back to.
The stats around feeling supported by your medical professionals post-partum really resonated with me. It boggles my mind that my baby had a pediatrician as soon as 2 days after birth but I had... no one...? My OBGYN, who is very good, is an OBGYN. They dont deal with the mental and non-gynecological physical changes a human undergoes after giving birth. The gap was so stark and it was visible part of the lack-of-support iceberg.
Sri, I agree wholeheartedly. I keep coming back to exactly what you said that there is immediate follow up for the baby but the mom only gets a brief check up at 6 weeks!
As a pediatrician, I see this in action, every day, with my newborn patients’ families. We see the newborn so frequently in their 1st month and I always always ask the parent(s) how they are doing, and the overwhelm is immense. I’m sure folks don’t even share their whole picture w me, bc I’m their child’s healthcare provider. We 100% need better support for families, full stop, but esp families of the youngest babes.
Thank you for your work with our youngest children! I agree that most families hide their overwhelm especially with their pediatricians. I just wish we had some of the models in the US we see in other countries.
Thank you so much for this... I was just working on something about the loneliness of the new mother... and this is really interesting data.
I am so glad it was helpful. I am looking forward to your piece!
If it's okay with you I'll link to your article and the study... ?
Of course!
Thank you... I did end up mentioning your work - i've leaned on it for my family... would love any thoughts. https://open.substack.com/pub/childandline/p/on-mothers-and-loneliness?r=utu07&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
Pretty sure there’s a lot of nature involved in that. Basic instinct to care for newborn at the peril of one’s own health.
I also think there is a lot of the US healthcare system in that. In France you get midwives/nurses/physio routinely etc post partum along with check ups with your primary care doctor.
Thank you for sharing this. Yes, the survey is done of US based moms mostly and our care is so much different (not in a good way) than places like France. We need to model our system off of yours.
It honestly amazes me how the US social/medical care system is just accepted.
Yes I pay a lot in taxes but you do get value for money from that...the support given here for having kids is pretty great. It’s not the longest maternity leave but it’s full pay and if you want you can pretty much take as long as you like and still have a job to go back to.
I wish the phrase "baby blues" didn't exist. It sounds so cutesy and minor.
That is a great point. It is a clinical condition, and it needs to be labeled as such.
Thank you for sharing this data. Every time I see data like this I get more energized for advocacy as we must do better for our new moms!
I feel the same as well!