The Perinatal Mental Health Nest

05/05/2025

It’s Maternal Mental Health Week, and we’re checking in.

Although the Perinatal Mental Health Nest has been quiet over the past year while I've been working back in the NHS, the mission is still close to my heart.

The Nest began as a grassroots effort to bring perinatal mental health care to rural South Africa. That vision hasn’t disappeared—it's simply on pause. I'm continuing to gather skills, insights, and connections that I hope to bring back to this work in time.

If you’ve followed this space or supported the Nest in the past—thank you. I’m still here. The work continues, just quietly for now.

   

02/08/2024

Today, I had the privilege of presenting at the Rural Health Conference 2024 on a topic close to my heart: Enhancing perinatal mental health in rural South Africa through collaborative strategies and occupational therapy interventions.

During my presentation, I discussed:

✅ The critical importance of perinatal mental health and its impact on mothers and infants from conception through the first year postpartum.

✅ The unique challenges faced by women in South Africa, particularly in rural areas, where socioeconomic factors, geographical barriers, and stigma and superstition can hinder access to mental health care.

✅ Collaborative strategies that involve multidisciplinary teams, including occupational therapists, community health workers, and other healthcare professionals, to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive care.

✅ Successful models and best practices for implementing mental health services in resource-limited settings, emphasising the need for task-shifting, training community health workers, and community based interventions.

It was an inspiring experience to share insights and strategies that can significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes in rural areas. Thank you to all who attended and engaged in this important conversation.

Let's continue to work together to make a positive impact on perinatal mental health care globally! 🌍💡

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02/08/2024

🌟 Join us in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2024 from August 1-7! This year's theme is "Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all."

Breastfeeding can be challenging, with societal pressures and mental health difficulties affecting many mothers. It’s crucial to acknowledge these struggles and offer support. Breastfeeding promotes bonding and reduces stress, which can help mitigate postpartum depression. Let's stand together to support all moms on their breastfeeding journey.

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03/07/2024

It is entirely natural to be feeling a combination of excitement, doubt, hope, and worry. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare:

1. Educate Yourself: Read books, attend classes, and seek advice from experienced parents to gain insights into parenting techniques, child development, and health.
2. Establish Support Networks: Build a support system of family, friends, and fellow parents who can offer guidance, assistance, and emotional support when needed.
3. Financial Planning: Prepare financially by creating a budget, saving for childcare expenses, and considering insurance options such as health and life insurance.
4. Don't Forget About Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being by getting enough rest, eating healthily, and finding time for relaxation and hobbies.
5. Communicate with Your Partner: Maintain open and honest communication with your partner about parenting goals, responsibilities, and concerns to ensure you're on the same page.
6. Flexibility and Adaptability: Understand that parenting requires flexibility and adaptability as every child is unique and may have different needs and preferences.
7. Establish Routines: Establishing consistent routines for sleeping, feeding, and playtime can help create a sense of stability and predictability for both you and your child.
8. Learn to Prioritise: Recognise that you may not be able to do everything you used to, and learn to prioritise tasks and responsibilities to manage your time effectively.
9. Seek Professional Help When Needed: Don't hesitate to consult healthcare professionals, such as midwives or therapists, for guidance on child health and development or if you're struggling with parenting challenges.
10. Enjoy the Journey: While parenting can be challenging at times, remember to cherish the precious moments and milestones with your child as they grow and develop.

02/07/2024

Pregnancy can worsen pre-existing eating disorders, causing distress and negative outcomes for both mothers and babies. Here are the main reasons:

1. Body Image Changes: Rapid body changes can trigger disordered eating.
2. Psychosocial Stressors: Increased stress from changes in family dynamics and anticipation of motherhood.
3. Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal shifts can worsen mood disorders.
4. Perceived Loss of Control: The loss of control over their body can lead to maladaptive behaviors.
5. Nutritional Demands: Meeting increased nutritional needs can be challenging.
6. Postpartum Body Image Concerns: Pressure to return to pre-pregnancy body can trigger eating disorder behaviors.

Support is essential. Comprehensive care, including psychological and nutritional support, helps improve outcomes. Encourage professional help, provide emotional and educational support, and create a supportive environment to aid in recovery.

26/06/2024

I recently attended a symposium which provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for enhancing maternal mental health in Africa, organised by Simone Honikman and Nicole Votruba and hosted by University of Oxford.

Here are some key takeaways:

🔹 High Prevalence, Low Detection: Maternal mental health issues are prevalent (affecting 1 in 5 women) but often go undetected and untreated.

🔹 Systemic Challenges: Limited infrastructure, staffing, and mental health budgets (1-5%) in LMICs, coupled with stigma and gender inequity, hinder effective care. Notable insights from Dr Anteneh Asefa (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium) highlighted these issues.

🔹 Innovative Approaches:

- Train the Trainer: Dr Bibilola Obadeyi (University of Ibadan, Nigeria) shared successful integration of mental health into routine perinatal services using continuous training and supervision.

- Community Empowerment: Sarah Mlambo (PhD) (Welwitchia Health Training Centre, Namibia) discussed leveraging indigenous practices, while Mona Bormet (MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership, Kenya) emphasized engaging faith leaders as change agents.

- Intersectoral Collaboration: Josephine Akellot (Vrije University, Netherlands) and Victoria Mutiso (Africa Mental Health Training and Research Foundation, Kenya) highlighted community-based interventions and the importance of involving men to address intimate partner violence.

🔹 Strategies for Scale and Sustainability:

- Workforce Diversification: Incorporating peers, non-specialists, and community health workers as suggested by Musa Krubally and Dr Katie Rose M. Sanfilippo (City, University of London, UK).

- Integration into Primary Care: Embedding mental health services into existing maternal and child health frameworks, as discussed by multiple experts.

- Development of Culturally Appropriate Tools: Creating and using context-specific screening tools and methods, emphasized by SAARA HATUPOPI (University of Namibia) and Svetlana Karuskina-Drivdale (PATH Mozambique).

🔹 Focus on Family and Community: Recognizing that improving maternal mental health benefits the entire family and community, as emphasized by the keynote

13/06/2024

Tune into Bulungula Community Radio tomorrow to hear about postnatal psychosis 💡

03/06/2024

Discover a wealth of resources on perinatal mental health on our website 💻

Whether you're a clinician, a new parent or parent-to-be, or simply interested in the topic, our website is your ultimate destination. From easy-to-understand guides for laypeople to in-depth resources for healthcare professionals, we've got you covered 🗃

Make us your go-to hub for all things perinatal mental health.

30/05/2024

Globally, maternal su***de remains a significant concern. Research indicates that su***de is a leading cause of maternal death within the first year after childbirth.

In South Africa - according to the "Saving Mothers" report for 2022, the rate of maternal su***de has been identified as a critical issue, with mental health conditions contributing notably to maternal deaths.

What can we do about this? 💡

Safety planning is an evidence-based intervention that aims to reduce su***de risk by helping individuals develop a personalised and structured plan to cope with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This intervention includes several key components designed to provide immediate and practical support during a crisis.

The below has been adapted from Center for Practice Innovations and applied to the perinatal patient.

30/05/2024

🌟 Parenting Support in South Africa🌟

Explore these incredible resources for parents and parents-to-be:

🔹 SASOG (http://www.sasog.co.za/): Get comprehensive info on pregnancy, childbirth, and women's health from the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

🔹 CEPF (http://www.cepf.co.za/): Join Childbirth Educators Professional Forum for classes and workshops on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care.

🔹 La Leche League SA (https://www.lllsa.org/): Find support and encouragement for breastfeeding through local groups, online resources, and phone counseling.

🔹 PEP Talks (https://www.peptalks.co.za/): Attend antenatal classes, parenting workshops, and support groups to learn about pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting.

🔹 Parent Centre (https://www.theparentcentre.org.za/): Access workshops, support groups, and resources on child development, positive discipline, and family relationships.

🔹 SAMBA (http://www.samultiplebirth.co.za/): Connect with the South African Multiple Birth Association for support, resources, and advocacy for families with multiples.

🔹 SABR (https://www.sabr.org.za/): Support the South African Breastmilk Reserve in collecting and distributing donated breast milk to infants in need, and get resources for breastfeeding mothers.

🔹 The Parenting Hub (https://theparentinghub.org.za/): Discover workshops, counseling services, and resources on child behavior management, emotional development, and family well-being.

🔹 Nurture Nook (https://www.nurturenook.co.za/): Explore a wide range of parenting resources, expert advice, and support services tailored to help you navigate the journey of parenthood.

28/05/2024

As a voluntary association, we offer care and support at no cost to those in need. However, sustaining this vital work requires resources. With your generous support, we can expand our reach, develop more comprehensive programmes, and truly make a difference in the lives of families throughout our community. Your donations will help us cover logistical costs for outreach in communities across South Africa, administrative fees, translator and interpreter services, as well as printing and distribution of essential resources.

Your support is invaluable in ensuring the sustainability of our efforts. Together, we can provide hope and support to those facing perinatal mental health challenges, empowering them to thrive during this transformative period.

If you’re interested in supporting our mission to tackle perinatal mental illness, please donate now or contact us to set up a discussion. Thank you so much.

https://gofund.me/123e36ca

Hello, I'm Gabi, the founder of The Perinatal Mental Health Nest. Our voluntary associatio… Gabi Smith needs your support for The Perinatal Mental Health Nest

21/05/2024

Looking forward to presenting at the OTASA Congress taking place from 3-5 July 2024.

I will be speaking about the integration of occupational therapy (OT) services into perinatal mental health care settings to enhance the holistic support provided to women during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Perinatal mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are prevalent among women worldwide and can significantly impact maternal and infant wellbeing. While existing interventions primarily focus on medical and psychological aspects, OT offers a unique perspective by addressing the occupational challenges experienced by women during this critical life stage.

Registration is still open if you haven't yet got tickets!