- Actor Naveed Raza’s talk show, ‘Mental Health Check,’ recently focused on postpartum depression, covering postpartum blues and postpartum psychosis.
- Dr. Kanwal Qadeer, a clinical psychologist, emphasised the commonality of postpartum blues among new mothers. She highlighted the importance of pre-natal and post-natal classes, often overlooked in Pakistan, in providing essential knowledge and support during this challenging time.
- The psychologist also stressed the significance of raising awareness, reducing stigma, and offering accessible mental health support for new mothers in Pakistan.
The birth of a child is often celebrated as a joyous occasion across the world, marked by family gatherings, blessings, and festivities. However, behind the veil of happiness, many new mothers silently suffer with a less talked-about aspect of motherhood – postpartum depression.
In a recent post by Pakistani actor Naveed Raza he shared a short video clip from his talk show, ‘Mental Health Check’ where he covers various aspects and issues related to mental health. This time the episode is centred around depression in Pakistan, including its milder form, postpartum blues, and its severe counterpart, postpartum psychosis.
Talking to Dr Kanwal Qadeer, PhD in Clinical Psychology, the duo spoke about the process through which a woman goes through from maternity to postpartum and where the actual depression hits the most. The psychologist Dr Kanwal stressed that not everyone has PPD but every new mother experiences Post Partum blues, insomnia, feeling low on energy, not being able to control emotions and the general feeling of helplessness. She described these symptoms as the general post-partum blues and discussed on what can be done to help mothers to navigate through this emotionally draining time.
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In Pakistan not much emphasis is given to pre-natal or post-natal classes, this may be due to the lack of awareness in people or due to multiple responsibilities, the mother-to-be are unable to take out the time for themselves. Dr Qadeer talks about the importance of these classes and after-delivery care essential for the mother and baby.
“Post-natal and post-delivery classes should be a must after the birth of a child. People in Pakistan believe everything goes back to normal after having a child but it is in-fact, the opposite, there is a new routine to follow and nothing is the same as before.”
Pre-natal classes offer a wealth of knowledge, emotional support, and practical skills, making them indispensable resources for those embarking on the adventure of parenthood. Post-natal classes help the parents in transitioning and helping parents through breast-feeding support and post-partum wellness.
“The general public needs to understand that for some, the next 40 days after the birth of the child are much more difficult than the initial 9 months of pregnancy.”
While postpartum blues are common and usually transient, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis can have severe consequences if left untreated. Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing accessible mental health support are essential steps in addressing these issues and ensuring that new mothers in Pakistan receive the care and support they need during this vulnerable period of their lives.
Naveed Raza’s show on post-partum depression has begun the dialogue about the traumas and hard-ships new mothers often face after giving birth. The host and the guest, Dr Kanwal both agreed that it is the collective responsibility of society, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to prioritise maternal mental health and work towards a brighter, healthier future for mothers and their new-borns in Pakistan.
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