Search and read at least one article on Respectful Maternity Care and share readings in the by replying in this discussion forum.
I have read an article from New Security Beat written by Sara Matthews (2021) titled “Respectful Maternity Care and Maternal Mental Health are Inextricably Linked.”
According to existing research, despite not having a definite connection between respectful maternity care and maternal mental health, it showed that those mothers who have negative birthing experience have greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum depression, and other perinatal mental health issues. Also, according to the article, women empowerment promotes positive emotional health. I find it easy to agree since negative experiences contribute largely to our mental health which then affects our physical health, while positive emotional health pushes us to an overall better health.
The article also mentioned a “cyclic relationship” between respectful maternity care and maternal mental health, in which pre-existing mental health issues increase vulnerability to negative birth experiences. Once maternity care fails to handle these negative birth experiences, it may deter women from seeking care which makes it difficult for issues to be identified and addressed.
Overall, though there are already observations and studies pointing to that direction, further research is necessary to prove that respectful maternity care and maternal mental health have a direct link.
References:
Matthews, S. (2021, September 15). Respectful Maternity Care and Maternal Mental Health are Inextricably Linked. New Security Beat. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2021/09/respectful-maternity-care-maternal-mental-health-inextricably-linked/