Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A consultant in perinatal psychiatry at the Rotunda Hospital, Dr. Richard Duffy, told thejournal.ie that Covid-19 has had a major impact on the mental health of new mothers. He talked about women staying in hospital for four or five days with no visitors and how isolating this can be for them. These are women who would normally have had support circles at home. Families and friends would have been calling to see the new baby and lend support and help to the mother and partner. These women, and indeed their partners, are missing out on this emotional and physical support but also the reassurance that family and friends would give. They are alone in some of the most worrying weeks of a new parent’s life.

I was contacted by a constituent last week who was greatly concerned that her child who was born in March has yet to receive a developmental check from a public health nurse. The HSE confirmed that these services were shut in March and no date has been given for their reopening. Developmental checks are vital for babies and their mothers. They are a chance to discuss any concern a new mother might have and provide an additional net to prevent those with postnatal depression from falling through the cracks. Without them, there is a real fear for babies for whom serious developmental issues may have been missed. This is a very significant issue. There is fear that mothers will struggle alone because they do not know where to find help and there is fear for the welfare of babies and mothers. We need to see these vital developmental health checks return as soon as possible.

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