Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:58 pm on 15 June 2022.
Certainly, going through a pregnancy and having a baby is a life-changing event. Postnatal depression, however, and other perinatal mental health problems, such as women experiencing eating problems during and after pregnancy, including possible other causes, can be incredibly dangerous to mother and baby. It is an issue I've remained very passionate about. Around one in five women experience a perinatal mental health problem during pregnancy or within the early postnatal years. And, shockingly, when writing this response, I was shocked to find that 70 per cent of mothers will hide or underplay their illness. So, what ongoing discussions is the Welsh Government having with our healthcare specialists? You know, time after time, week after week, I stand here, when there are so many pressures on my own local health board, and how can I be assured that those mothers who are really seeking help for perinatal depression or any mental health issue—? How can I be assured, Deputy Minister, or Minister, that they're going to get the absolute support that they need? Thank you.