A mother who spent five weeks in a psychiatric hospital after giving birth has described the experience as “prison-like,” highlighting the emotional toll of being separated from her newborn.
Shelley Browne, who was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, was admitted under a mental health order following childbirth three years ago. While mothers in the rest of Great Britain receive care in specialized mother and baby units, women in Northern Ireland are placed in general psychiatric wards, isolated from their babies.
Although a proposal for a dedicated mother and baby unit has been in the works for months, the Department of Health (DoH) said funding has not yet been secured. The business case for the unit is said to be well-developed, though its future is contingent on financial resources.
Speaking to BBC Spotlight, Shelley, 35, recalled the loneliness she felt after being dropped off at the Ulster Hospital psychiatric ward without her baby. “I went in voluntarily, and it was just the loneliest feeling in the world,” she said. “I was a mother without her child, and I felt like a prisoner. It broke me every morning.”
Each year, around 100 women in Northern Ireland are admitted to adult psychiatric wards, separated from their babies while receiving care for mental health conditions like postpartum psychosis.
What Is Postpartum Psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health condition that can affect new mothers. Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and severe mood swings. If left untreated, the condition can escalate quickly, leading to potential harm to the mother or her child. Recovery can take several months, although the most intense symptoms typically last between two and 12 weeks.
Shelley, who struggled with the condition, emphasized the emotional strain of being separated from her daughter during such a vulnerable time. “She wasn’t with me, and I was in a mental facility. It just broke me every morning,” she said.
Challenges in Mental Health Care
Despite the backing of seven health ministers, the proposal for a mother and baby unit has failed to materialize due to the lack of funding. Dr. Julie Anderson, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, pointed out that Northern Ireland’s health system is struggling to meet the demand for community mental health services. The five health trusts in the region receive over 250 referrals annually, but staffing limitations mean only about 70 patients can be supported at a time.
Dr. Anderson expressed frustration with the slow progress. “It’s really, really frustrating knowing that there’s much better care that our mums should be getting here in Northern Ireland,” she said. “Frankly, it’s somewhat embarrassing that we’ve been talking about this for almost 20 years and we’re still not there yet.”
A Tragic Loss
In 2018, Orlaith Quinn, a 33-year-old mother of three, died just days after giving birth to her third child. Orlaith had shown signs of postpartum psychosis following the birth. Tragically, her death occurred in an unused part of the hospital where she had taken her own life.
An inquest in 2022 found that Orlaith’s death was “foreseeable and preventable.” The coroner tied the tragedy to the absence of a mother and baby unit in Northern Ireland, calling for the immediate establishment of such a facility.
In response, the Belfast Health Trust expressed its condolences and promised to learn from the incident. It has introduced a training program to help staff better recognize perinatal mental health disorders and the risks of maternal suicide.
The Call for Change
Consultant perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Jo Black, who helped establish a mother and baby unit in Devon, emphasized the life-saving impact of such facilities. “Maternal suicide remains a major killer in the maternity period, and these units save lives,” Dr. Black said. “It’s extraordinary that we don’t have one here in Ireland.”
Data from a 2023 report indicated that 34% of late maternal deaths, which occur between six weeks and a year after pregnancy, were linked to mental health issues. With over 3,500 women in Northern Ireland estimated to develop perinatal mental health problems annually, the need for a specialized unit is clear.
Dr. Anderson pointed out that current data collection practices are inadequate, possibly underestimating the demand for mental health services in the perinatal period. Although a review of coding practices for such conditions is planned, the Department of Health has yet to implement recommendations from 2017 aimed at improving data collection.
Moving Forward
The ongoing challenges faced by women like Shelley Browne highlight the urgent need for change in Northern Ireland’s approach to maternal mental health care. As mothers continue to experience the emotional and physical toll of postpartum psychosis without the support of specialized units, advocates remain hopeful that better care is on the horizon.
For those affected by postpartum psychosis, support and information are available through the BBC Actionline website.
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