A public health role in perinatal mental health: Are midwives ready?

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of perinatal mental health as a public health issue. The Government is keen for midwives to further develop their role in public health. Midwives need to be adequately prepared to take on a more developed role in perinatal mental health if practice improvements are to be made. The aim of this study was to identify any barriers to successful implementation by midwives of the recommendations from the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths aimed at reducing maternal deaths from suicide. This article describes a survey of midwives’ attitudes, knowledge and confidence in relation to perinatal mental health. The study used a quantitative survey method. A 29 item questionnaire was completed by 187 midwives working with one inner London Trust prior to attending a one day study day on perinatal mental health. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software package. The study found that midwives are willing to take on a more developed role in relation to mental health but that they often lack training, knowledge and confidence in this area.

The first antenatal appointment: An exploratory study of the experiences of women with a diagnosis of mental illness

“…However, women with mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder in particular, found that midwives did not appear to have sensitivity and knowledge about their diagnosis, and appeared to express uncertainty. This is in line with previous research which has clearly indicated that midwives often have poor understanding and knowledge of mental health diagnoses (Ross-Davie et al, 2006) and often feel unconfident in their role in responding to women with mental illness. In addition, research has found that midwives and other health-care professionals frequently feel unconfident in their role in appropriately assessing and referring women who experience perinatal mental illness to relevant specialist services (Stewart and Henshaw 2002;McCauley et al, 2011).…”

“…Many studies have focused on the implementation of these recommendations (Elliott et al, 2007;Rothera and Oates, 2011;Rollans et al, 2012) in order to improve the detection and management of maternal perinatal mental health to reduce maternal, fetal and neonatal risks. In a survey conducted by Ross-Davie et al, (2006) on midwives preparedness to undertake their public health role in detecting perinatal mental illness, they found that 90% of practitioners identified psychological care to be a core part of the midwife's role. The majority (68%) of the midwives felt ill-equipped in their ability to fulfil this role due to limited time, skills and knowledge.…”

Mothers with mental health problems: Contrasting experiences of support within maternity services in the Republic of Ireland

“…2004, Jones et al, 2010. As 90% of midwives in Ross-Davie et al's (2006) study were of the view that psychological care is a core part of their role, the issue appears to be more about knowledge than willingness; hence, there is a need to include a module on motherhood and perinatal mental health issues, in all undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery programmes. While studies do demonstrate the positive outcomes of education in the area of postnatal depression and screening tools (Gerrard et al, 1993, Ross-Davie et al, 2006, Jardri et al, 2010.…”

Public health and wellbeing: A matter for the midwife?

“…In a study that examined midwives attitudes to assessing mental health problems in pregnancy, Ross-Davie et al (2006) used a survey, which was sent to 187 midwives working in inner London. Researchers wanted to answer the question "Are midwives ready for the development of their public health role in mental health"?…”