Speak up to beat post-natal depression, Uyo Rotarians urge nursing mothers
…fetes Pre-Maternal Mothers
By Imó Etim
The leadership and members of the Rotary Club of Uyo, District 9142, Clubs of Uyo Capital City and Uyo Metropolis, have charged Mothers to express themselves after childbirth in order to beat post natal depression.
This awareness talk was held at the Primary Health Centre at Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as part of the Maternal and Child health project which is one of the 7 focus areas of the Rotary Club.
Dr Enobong Nkanga, a mental health expert and guest speaker, while speaking on the issue, noted that post natal depression is a type of mood disorder that many parents especially women experience after having a baby.
“Baby blues” as it is also called, is said to be affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth and mostly lasting between 2–4 weeks, with bad consequences that also affects members of the family.
She highlighted symptoms likely to be seen during the times to include:
a recurring feeling of sadness and low mood, lack of enjoyment, tiredness, loss of interest in the wider world, and lack of energy, while others may have trouble sleeping at night but feel sleepy during the day, develop low interest in self care and the baby, and
withdrawing from contact with other people, most times with thoughts of hurting their babies.
She urged nursing mothers to always speak up and express themselves over what they feel, and urged family and friends to always show support during such times, as factors like family issues, social issues, financial burden, premature child birth, multiple birth, abuses/ assaults, were some of the reasons associated with this type of depression, adding that most women do not realize when they gradually slip into such moods.
Rotarian Edidiong Inyang, President of Uyo Capital City Rotary Club, noted that the Rotary Club has been involved in the support and provision of health care in Nigeria for so many years, and have also played a major role in kicking out polio by sponsoring poliomyelitis vaccines in Nigeria since 1980.
She added that Rotary Club International runs a leadership period of one year, and in July, the organization chose to focus on the Maternal and Child health care, and Mental health, identifying post natal depression as an area of concern, hoping that it would go a long way in helping the women gain awareness and know how manage such situations to come out strong.
She assured that aside from the health talk, and gifts that were given, the Rotary Club would continue to monitor progress in the health sector to identify areas of need that they can be of assistance as was done in the past.
Rotarian Inyang, further highlighted
:Basic Education and Literary; Maternal and Child Health; Peace and Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention and treatment; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Community and Economic Development; and Environmental Protection as the 7 key focus areas of the Rotary Club.
Rotarian Mercy Edet, while charging intending mothers on the need for selfcare, noted that some women come from low income households, making them so prone to issues that would make them worry, that may lead to PND, urging women to take better care of themselves and their spouses, as a happy home will always conquer any challenges that may arise.
Rotarian Michael Umana, President Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, appreciated the women for taking their time to get information that would help them live well after child birth, also presented select women women with gift items donated by the organization.
Nurse Peace Essien, Director at the Health facility appreciated the Rotarians for their show of love and continuous support, pledging to work together to better improve the health care for mothers and children.
Rotarian Dr Cyril Essien, and others took their turn to present gift item to the women on the event, which lifted the spirit of the expectant mothers.
Other Rotarians present were; Glory Johnson, Jay Jay from Shelter Afrique Club, Uyai, Grace amongst others.