Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers
We have today warned that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers.
As part of our review of maternal mental health care, we have analysed experiences of pregnancy and post-natal care shared by 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents since April 2020. Whilst the survey participants were self-selected, their views are likely to reflect those of a significant group of recently pregnant people.
The analysis suggests that not all GP practices comply with the requirement to provide six to eight-week postnatal checks. And where those checks take place, it is not clear that GP practices are aware of NICE guidance which tells them in detail how to spot mental health problems and provide help
Key findings
- Over one in 10 (16%) of new mothers and birthing parents who shared their experiences said they hadn’t received the six to eight-week check.
- Of those who said they had been offered the postanal check, only one in five, 22%, were satisfied with the time their GP spent talking to them about their mental health.
- Nearly half, 44%, of respondents felt that the GP did not spend enough time talking to them about their mental health, while a third, 30%, said that their GP didn’t mention this during the check.
- One in seven, 15%, said they had had their six-week check over the phone, with many new parents finding it hard to verbalise their mental health struggles and discuss physical issues. In the worst cases, respondents felt the way their mental health issues were discussed was inappropriate and potentially harmful.
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