08/09/2026
When our mothers gave birth to us, many of them lived in communal societies. A new mother could have her aunties, uncles, sisters, grandmothers and other family members around her. She was not expected to do everything alone.
But as the world changed, with development, urbanisation and migration, many of us moved into more individualistic societies. It became βme, my husband and I.β
Then a woman has a baby and is left to take care of herself, her newborn and sometimes other little toddlers, while also cooking, cleaning and meeting family expectations.
Some women become so overwhelmed, exhausted and emotionally distressed that they may begin to have frightening thoughts, including thoughts of harming themselves or even their babies.
Postnatal depression is real.
A woman who has just given birth needs rest, care, emotional support and practical help.
This is also one of the reasons child spacing is recommended. It gives the motherβs body time to recover and helps ensure that she has the physical and emotional strength to provide the care her baby needs.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury.
Seek the support of your relatives when you need it. If family support is not available, consider getting practical help, such as a home help or a trained nurse, where possible.
And let us remember: when a woman gives birth, the baby is not the only one who needs care. The mother needs care too.
Who is caring for the mother while she is caring for the baby?
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