Perinatal mental health experiences of our diverse borough

Healthwatch Wandsworth undertook research into perinatal mental health experiences in their diverse borough. Healthwatch Wandsworth interviewed 13 birthing parents who had given birth since 2020. The ethnicities of those interviewed included population groups from Africa, the Caribbean, Middle East, South Asia and South America.

One prevalent theme that emerged was the reluctance of many participants to seek support or discuss their mental health during maternity and beyond. This was often due to a lack of awareness about available resources or the sense that there wasn’t the space or an allotted time to talk about their experiences.

A substantial number of participants felt that their ethnicity influenced the maternity care they received. Participants spoke about disparities in access to health services and experiences with health and social care professionals.

Healthwatch Wandsworth’s research highlights the importance of positive interactions not only with healthcare professionals but also with other individuals within people's support networks. When staff were attentive to the emotional wellbeing of patients, it had a profound impact on their overall experience. This highlights the need for health and social care services to emphasise empathetic and patient-centred care in their training and service delivery.

The report contains recommendations.