Sligo/Leitrim Senator calls for full year of care for post-natal support for all new mothers

Sligo/Leitrim Senators Nessa Cosgrove and Cork Senator Laura Harmon, this week, presented a motion in Seanad Éireann which calls for a full year of care for post-natal support for all new mothers. 

Senator Cosgrove, the Labour Party Spokesperson on Rural and Community Development, the Gaeltacht and Worker’s Rights explained:  “The current provision of post-natal care, for most mothers, is currently limited to a GP examination for the baby at 2 weeks old and an examination of both the mother and the baby at 6 weeks old. After that, new mothers are treated by the health system like any other person, they will not receive help or intervention unless they look for it.” 

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She said she was was contacted by Aolish Gormley, from Coolaney, Co. Sligo, who experienced delayed post-natal depression. "She used this experience to set up an informal network of mothers called Ardú, the beautiful Irish word for Rise. Ardú derives its inspiration from the Irish saying Ardoidh muid le cheile- together we will rise. Aolish recognised that each woman has something unique to offer each other woman; that we can be a resource for each other; that we benefit from being with each other and experiencing activities which promote holistic health, together. These include sunrise hikes, running, breathing workshops and sauna sessions and of course, being based in Sligo, sea swimming. I was privileged to attend an Ardú sea swimming session with Aolish, during which I was able to see this informal self-care network in action. 

“This network inspired Aolish to develop the Year of Care campaign, which she launched in Strandhill, last May. Through which she drew my attention to the institutional and nationwide lack of provision which becomes obvious once it is understood.” 

“The State has failed to recognise, that many of the needs of new mothers stretch beyond 6 weeks, and that some needs may not even have been recognised by the mother herself, or by those around her, before care has been withdrawn. 

This leaves many mothers without adequate mental, physical, and emotional support during a critical time. Post-natal care should be extended to a full year, mothers should have continuous access to mental and physical health support services throughout the first 12 months.” 

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The Labour Party Senator continued: "Today’s motion called for increased government funding, improved access to mental health services, extended post-natal check-ups, the extension of maternity leave of up to one year and the establishment of community-based support networks throughout Ireland to ensure every mother, has the resources she needs to thrive. Physically, emotionally and mentally. 

One of the most heart breaking statistics quoted in Aolish’s work is that between 15 and 25% of Irish mothers experience some form of depression during the first 12 months postnatally. Yet because of lack of follow-up care, and the absence of a mother and baby mental health unit, many women go undiagnosed and untreated. Devastatingly, the most common cause of death for women between 6 weeks and 12 months after giving birth is suicide. We have a duty to tackle this.  The feeling of inadequacy and of loneliness often come, not within the first 6 weeks, but later, sometimes much later. Life does not become easier after 6 weeks, sometimes it becomes harder.”