ODPHP. (2020) describes maternal health as the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. With reference to the Clark, O. (2016) article, it states that the care of the mother has to be intensive in prenatal care, but also postpartum. The mother needs to be well, both physically and mentally, to take good care of her child. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience, for too many women it is associated with suffering, ill-health, and even death. (ODPHP, 2020) Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important public health goal. Their well-being, healthy growth and development determines the health of the next generation and can help foresee future public health challenges for families, communities, and the healthcare system. (Murphy, 2017)
The findings of (Parush, S., Lapidot, G., Edelstein, P.,
& Tamir, D, 2018) support the two hypotheses: early intervention performed by occupational
therapists had a significant influence on the knowledge, attitudes, and
practices of mothers with regard to their infants' development. It is
understood that the structured developmental stages provided by the
occupational therapist maximizes the mothers' awareness and understanding of
their children's needs for optimal development. The youngest mothers and the
mothers with firstborn children were the ones most positively influenced
by their program. This suggests that intervention programs are most beneficial
for those who have not had previous child-rearing experience and therefore have not experienced handling techniques. Detailed guidance in sensory development information
equipped the mothers with knowledge to provide their infants with appropriate
sensory stimulation, stimulation that results in adaptive
motor responses in the infant.
After having never worked in paediatrics in OT
before and then having to assess and treat babies who are a couple weeks, or
months old as well as children, it was extremely overwhelming. I stumbled my
words, had every file possible alongside me (just in case), tried my best to
look and sound a little professional and then realized: “All I really need to
do is play and make those critical observations, decide on my clinical
reasoning and display health promotion techniques towards a healthy development
for the child to the mom”. I realized it wasn’t as daunting as it seemed. As
each baby walks in it gets easier. Running the mothers group today was a fun
experience- singing songs, blowing bubbles, playing with toys and chatting to the moms about their
babies. They all felt encouraged by the group and enjoyed it.
Rahman, A. & Surkan, P. etc. (2013) reminds one that the myth that maternal depression is rare has been proven extremely unfitting. Another common perception is that depression is a construct of well-off Western societies that is uncommon in traditional communities. Perinatal depression has been reported in all cultures. Contributing factors related to depression in women include poverty and persistent poor health; a poor relationship with a partner (including intimate partner violence); insufficient practical or emotional support from the family; few confiding relationships and lack of assistance in crises; social adversity; limited control or participation in financial decisions or reproductive health, crowded living conditions, lack of employment; and coincidental adverse life events. A number of these contributors are realities faced by mothers in rural communities. Sepulveda, A., & Hanish, k, 2019, reports that maternal mental health disorders affect 10-20% of new mothers and can negatively impact infant development as well as maternal well-being. Furthermore, MMH disorders can disrupt the mothering role, mother-infant attachment, and cooccupations which can further negatively affect the health and well being of the infant, the family, and the society at large.
Occupational therapists (OTs) in paediatric settings treat the child as their client. However, they fail to fully consider a mother’s mental health. (Sepulveda, A., & Hanish, k, 2019) As I reflect on this past week I realize I too have fallen short of this standard, assuming the mother’s are always well, if no instantaneous sign of depression is apparent. This research has reminded me to not only assess the baby’s health and development but also ensure the mothers are coping.
Whilst starting to comprehend OT’s role in maternal health, I then wondered what specifically we would attend to. Leanne, LLC. (2017) discusses the following: OT’s may serve in child and maternal health in the following ways: Adaptations and Environmental modifications, Analysis of daily activities, Breastfeeding support, Energy conservation, Ergonomics and body mechanics, Exercise and sleep, Infant development, Pelvic and core health, Play as a co-occupation, Postnatal mood disorders, such as postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, Stress management and Time management.
In conclusion, the complications that arise in a rural community when it comes to raising children as new mothers, single mothers, teenage mothers, working mothers or as special needs mothers causes extreme challenges for the child, as well as the mother’s health. This is why a primary health care opportunity such as OT health services is an important means of support for maternal and child health. This research opened my eyes to the benefits we provide. Maternal and child health is an important component of healthy societies and economies. I’d like to end this blog with this thought-provoking quote as it enlightened me exponentially to the realities of our world. Although it does not necessarily relate to maternal health, the reality of poverty in a rural setting deeply affects mothers and child-rearing.
“It would be nice if the poor were to get even half of the money that is spent in studying them.” — William E. Vaughn, columnist
References:
Clark, O. (2016). Maternal health: the importance of caring for mothers is a crucial factor in the health of children. Retrieved on the 27th of February from https://www.kantarhealth.com/blog/otavio-clark/2016/05/06/maternal-health-the-importance-of-caring-for-mothers-is-a-crucial-factor-in-the-health-of-children
Leanne, LLC. (2017) Maternal insights. Retrieved on the 28th of February from https://www.maternalinsights.com/news/occupational-therapy-and-maternal-health
Murphy, C. (2017). Boone County Health Department: Public health: Maternal and Child Health. Retrieved on the 28th of February from https://boonecounty.in.gov/Offices/health-department/Public-Health-Nursing/Maternal-Child-Health/Child-Health
ODPHP. (2020). Healthypeople.gov. Maternal, Infant and Child Health.Retrieved on the 27th of February from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/maternal-infant-and-child-health
Parush, S., Lapidot, G., Edelstein, P., & Tamir, D. (2018). Occupational Therapy in Mother and Child Health Care Centers . American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Vol. 41(9), 601-605. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.41.9.601
Rahman, A., Surkan, P., Cayetano, C., Rwagatare, K., & Dickson. (2013). Grand Challenges: Integrating Maternal
Mental Health into Maternal and Child Health Programmes. Retrieved on the 27th
of February from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001442
Sepulveda, A., & Hanish, k. (2019) The Role of Occupational Therapy in Maternal-Infant Mental Health. Retrieved on the 28th of February, 2020 from https://congress2018.Los Angeles,USAwfot.org/downloads/abstracts/SE%2077/The%20Role%20of%20Occupational%20Therapy.pdf
