The Impact of Inadequate Counselling on the Well-Being of Expecting Mothers

The Impact of Inadequate Counselling on the Well-Being of Expecting Mothers

Refiloe Legodi, Ellen Mmaseitlholo Tlhojane

North West University, South Africa

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.908000164

Received: 21 July 2025; Accepted: 29 July 2025; Published: 02 September 2025

ABSTRACT

Pregnant women face different challenges daily and throughout their pregnancies and their journeys as new mothers. Mental health remains to be a big issue for pregnant women in South Africa and the entire world. This paper is aimed at mapping the existing literature on the mental health of pregnant women and the importance of counselling during pregnancy and the transition into motherhood.  The author utilized a comparative analysis as a research method. Data was collected from various databases which are not more than 10 years. Purposive sampling was used to select relevant articles using keywords. The author used thematic content analysis to analyse data thematically. The study discovered that pregnant women face a lot of challenges such as having suicidal thoughts, not coping during pregnancy which leads to having miscarriages and giving birth to stillborn babies, sinking into depression, experiencing postpartum depression as well as postnatal depression which leads to killing newborns, abandoning them in hospitals, dumping them in dustbins and waste disposal sites. This paper recommends that the Department of Health prioritizes the mental health of pregnant women as much as the physical health by making it compulsory for pregnant women to see social workers during every visit to the hospital or the clinic from pregnancy until the child is at least 6 months old with the condition that the mother is coping. The study concludes that prioritizing the mental health of pregnant women and providing counselling services to them is of paramount importance.

Keywords: Counselling, Wellbeing, Expecting mothers, Mental Health, Antenatal care

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy is the most challenging time in a woman’s life. Different changes occur in the body and that affects the mental health of women during after pregnancy. Some people may have mental health problems including anxiety and depression as a result of the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy. Most people can recover from mental health issues with the right help. Everybody experiences sadness, anxiety, or worry from time to time. Feeling this way occasionally is natural, particularly during pregnancy. However, the symptoms of depression persist for several days. They may worsen with time and persist for weeks or months. This is can also happen even after giving birth. According to the researchers, the mother’s brain undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, including specialization to cope with the demands of parenthood. Counseling during pregnancy is crucial because it gives women a safe place to talk about possible mental health issues, learn coping skills, manage stress, get information about pregnancy and childbirth, and make decisions that will benefit both their own and their unborn child’s health. In the end, this leads to a healthier pregnancy and postpartum experience. It’s of paramount importance to treat mental health issues that occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women who suffer from depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues may neglect their own needs or use drugs or alcohol. A developing baby may be harmed by all these things. Preterm labor, low birth weight, poor fetal growth, and bonding difficulties are just a few of the consequences that can result from mental health problems during pregnancy, which can have a substantial impact on both the mother and the unborn child.

Background, rationale, problem formulation, literature study and theoretical framework

Like any other need, counselling during pregnancy is one of the basic needs for very pregnant woman in the country. When a woman is pregnant, the department of health makes it a point that the pregnant woman is fully taken care of physically. For example, immediately after testing positive for pregnancy, the nurse on duty books a pregnant woman for antenatal care (ANC). This is where the physical wellbeing of the pregnant woman as well as the developmental stages of the fetus will be monitored until the birth of the child. When attending the ANC if any problem arises on the pregnant woman or the fetus is said to be in danger it can be detected early because thorough examinations are performed monthly and for pregnant women who are said to be high risk due to different factors, examinations are done after every two weeks.

In most hospitals worldwide, women give birth every single minute, however, there are many challenges they face during pregnancy and after birth which puts their mental health at risk. The Department of Health has made it a mandate that the physical health of a pregnant woman is a priority, hence, there is antenatal care. Upon making sure that the physical health of pregnant women is prioritized, the mental health has been ignored and not deemed as a problem. Mental health is defined by how individuals think and feel about themselves and their lives, that it affects how an individual copes and manages in terms of adversity ( Bhugra et al, 2013).According to  Bhugra et al.(2013) mental health does not exist on its own, but, it is an integral and essential part of overall health, which can be defined in at least three ways – as the absence of disease, as a state of the organism that allows the full performance of all its functions or as a state of balance within oneself and one’s physical and social environment. Bhugra et al. (2013) further states that mental health gives an individual the feeling of worth, control and understanding of internal and external functioning. Mental health, like any mental illness, is also affected by biological, social, psychological, and environmental factors. Vulnerabilities to the mental health of a woman during pregnancy may include lack of emotional resilience, feeling trapped and useless, isolation, poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and abuse (Bhugra et al.,2013).

Due to lack of counselling for pregnant women during pregnancy, there are severe effects such as depression during and after pregnancy-: postpartum depression, maternal depression, prenatal depression, postnatal depression as well as perinatal depression. Burks and Stefflre (1979) as cited by Nor (2020) define counselling as a professional relationship between a trained counsellor and a client designed to help clients to understand and clarify their views of their life space and to learn to reach their self- determined goals through meaningful, well- informed choices and through resolution of problems of an emotional or interpersonal nature. Depression during and after pregnancy refers to a broad range of physical and emotional struggles that women may face. Depression is a health problem. Depression that occurs during and after pregnancy (within a year after the end of pregnancy) is referred to as perinatal depression. One of the causes of depression is the fact that a woman’s body undergoes many changes during and after pregnancy. Perinatal depression may include sad feelings, being irritable or cranky, trouble concentrating or remembering things that disturb their lives etc. Depression needs the attention of a health care practitioner. In this case, women go through the whole pregnancy without getting counselling which causes vulnerability to the mental health. As much as ANC is to ensure that the baby is developing well, counselling should also be provided to check whether there are no factors that might hinder the developing process of the baby. Counselling during pregnancy is of paramount importance and should be treated as such.

Statistical comparison

In 2017, sub-Saharan Africa had the highest estimated maternal mortality ratio worldwide at 542 deaths per 100 000 live births and stillbirths at 28.7 per 1000 total births (Hlongwane et al., 2021).  According to Almed et al. (2018).Bangladesh has 28 701 miscarriages and 1 068 stillbirths, India has 2 765 abortions and miscarriages and 7 98 stillbirths, Uttar Pradesh has 1 162 miscarriages and 1 479 stillbirths while Pakistan has 700 miscarriages and 1 211 stillbirths, Democratic Republic of Congo  has 20 miscarriages and 155 stillbirths, Ghana has 1 063 miscarriages and 654 stillbirths, Kenya has 170 miscarriages and 233 stillbirths, Tanzania has 88 miscarriages and 123 stillbirths, Zambia has 44 miscarriages and 441 stillbirths, South Asia has 6 945 miscarriages and 5 231 stillbirths and Sub-Saharan Africa has 1 816 miscarriages and 2 104 stillbirths. According to There are 52 districts in South Africa, with a majority having more than 500 000 inhabitants. Hlongwane et al., (2021) state that since 2008 South Africa has been implementing a basic antenatal care model to achieve four goal-orientated visits.

One of the models of intervention suitable from different mental health conditions experienced by pregnant women is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their behaviour and emotions (Nakao et al., 2021). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is particularly effective for addressing anxiety and depression experienced by pregnant women, helping them recognize and change harmful thought patterns. Pregnant women who struggle with relationships or social support may benefit from interpersonal psychotherapy, which focuses on enhancing interpersonal and communication skills. Pregnant women can benefit from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction which can help them manage stress, lower anxiety and improve their general well-being. Additionally, because therapy places an emphasis on goal-setting and practical solutions, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy may be helpful for expectant mothers who are struggling with particular issues.

Perinatal mental health care differs around the world (Wilson et. al, 2024). By addressing mental health, birth readiness and early risk detection, mandatory counselling for expectant mothers in healthcare institutions has the potential to significantly enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Choedon et al (2023) state that common mental disorders during pregnancy are more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs. (Its viability in environments with limited resources, however, is largely dependent on the workforce’s ability, the infrastructure already in place the reintegration of prenatal care. It would be logistically challenging to ensure privacy during consultations, train healthcare professionals (especially nurses and midwives) in basic counselling techniques, and modify session formats to accommodate hectic clinic schedules. Overworked professionals may find their workload lessened by transferring tasks and using community health workers or; lay counsellors. Phased implementation, beginning in high-risk areas, along with the use of mobile health tools and public-private partnerships, could eventually improve feasibility and scalability, even though issues such as staff shortages, limited consultation time and a lack of mental health resources pose significant obstacles.

In the North-West Province like any other province in South Africa, there are many cases of women giving birth to stillborn babies, having miscarriages, dumping babies in dustbins as well as leaving babies with their grandparents, abandoning them, and never looking back. One may ask, what is the cause of all this? During pregnancy, the nurses and doctors focus more on the physical health of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus. Has one ever stopped and think, what is the pregnant woman feeling, are they okay, are they living in circumstances and environments which are conducive for pregnancy? Reality of the matter is pregnant women go through so many changes which affect their mental wellbeing daily. Others come from situations that are painful and not safe for a pregnant woman to experience. For example, many pregnant women come from broken relationships. Many pregnant women are abandoned by their child’s fathers, and it is very difficult to maintain a stress-free life when one is faced with such a situation. Stress is not good for the baby. However, having to deal with a broken relationship with the father of the child and facing the reality of having to raise a baby alone is very difficult and causes problems during pregnancy and after the baby is born. To solve this matter, the mental health of pregnant women in Ramotshere Moiloa in the North-West province should be prioritized.

Counselling is needed to prevent such awful effects caused by the weaknesses in the mental health of pregnant women. For example, miscarriage rates of 7.3 – 9.6/1 000 are very similar to the stillbirth rate of 9.8/1 000 we have found for pregnancies at or after 28 weeks’ gestation in South Africa (Brink et al., 2019). Despite progress in reduction in maternal deaths in South Africa, deaths due to complications of hypertension in pregnancy remain high at 26 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2016 (Hlongwane et al., 2021). An audit of the timing and causes of all stillbirths in three of South Africa’s provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape) from 2013 to 2015 showed that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and unexplained stillbirths were the most common adverse outcomes. The third trimester was identified as a crucial time, with a peak in stillbirths between 32 and 38 weeks (Hlongwane et al., 2021). Due to the extra time between 32 and 38 weeks in the schedule in 2016, most pregnant women in South Africa (75.5%) went to four prenatal care appointments, but stillbirths were diagnosed but not averted.

With the above statistics of stillbirths, child mortality rates, miscarriage rates and maternal death rates, it is evident that something is not done right. Even with the provision of antenatal care, pregnant women still experience these effects. This is where the question of whether counselling services should be provided for pregnant women arises, as it is evident that the mental health is commonly affected during pregnancy as the above statistics also show that some deaths are due to the complications of hypertension which may be caused by not having a proper platform to share the burdens women carry during pregnancy as well as their daily struggles as they prepare for their new journey of motherhood.

This problem needs to be solved to reduce the child mortality rate, the rate of stillborn births and the depression that occurs during and after pregnancy. The problem does not only start now but has been happening over the past years and it is very sad to watch women go through such painful experiences whereas they can be prevented from happening hence there is a need for this research to be conducted. Should the mental health of pregnant women not be taken as a serious issue and be prioritized, the problems faced by these women will persist in the future. There is lack of counselling programs in the South African health care system for pregnant women. This research will help in terms of finding measures by which this problem can be solved. The major gap that has been identified in this study is lack of counselling services for pregnant women and new mothers

Strengths-based perspective

The most fulfilling and evolutionary stages of a woman’s life are pregnancy and parenthood. These stages are associated with physiological and psychological changes requiring special attention.  Parsa et al. (2016) states that for many women, pregnancy creates psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and feeling of uncertainty in life. This perspective presumes that even though pregnant women face different challenges and have many dysfunctions in their lives, they also have strengths. The strengths-based perspective presumes that pregnant women know the type of interventions that will be effective and help them to deal with their daily problems.

Systems theory

According to Boulding (1956) as cited by Lia et al. (2013) “systems theory is the skeleton of science in the sense that it aims to provide a framework or structure of systems on which to hang the flesh and blood of disciplines and particular subject matters in an orderly and coherent corpus of knowledge”. The systems theory pays attention to the person-in-situation. In this theory the person and situation are both cause and effect in a complex set of relationships. When one part of the system is disturbed, it disturbs and disrupts the whole system. As pregnant women have problems that are affecting them, their relationships with people around them are likely to suffer because everyone is also affected by the problem. This theory will also help the researcher to determine how other people or relationships with other people contributes to the problems that women face during pregnancy.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The authors used databases such as Semantic scholar, Google Scholar, Sabinet African Journals, Springer, Jstor and ResearchGate to get articles that fit the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included studies that adopted qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, studies which were published from the year 2014 to the year 2024 as well as dissertations that relates to the importance of counselling for pregnant women and studies conducted in English.  The exclusion criteria were papers that were not conducted in English. The following keywords were chosen by the researchers to gather information from the internet: pregnancy, prenatal care, and mental health. To narrow down the available literature (hint search), the author included a filter for the ten-year prediction (2013–2023). For screening purposes, the accessible literature was transferred to EndNote 20. Using the inclusion and exclusion criteria as a guide, the author first eliminated duplicates from EndNote 20 before screening the title and abstract.

FINDINGS/ RESULTS

Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women during and after pregnancy

There is a plethora of factors that affect the mental health of pregnant women. In this section, the author found that family, relationship breakups, absent partners and denied pregnancies, abuse, the state of not being ready for parenthood and not believing in termination of pregnancies, biological and hormonal causes for new mothers, lack of support and stressful conditions were common factors that affect the mental health of pregnant women and new mothers.

Family

 In accordance with Kapur (2022) a family is the institution, which makes provision of information to the individuals in terms of all the aspects that lead to their progression. Shophi (2024) is of the view that a family is habitually portrayed as a place of sanctuary, love and warmth, but to others, it is rather a nightmare. Thomlison (2016) also indicates that a family consists of people who have a common history, experience a degree of emotional bonding, and share goals and activities. Family issues and concerns may include physical survival, social protection, education and development. They may also involve acceptance, nurturance, approval, belonging, identity and support and growth of individuals and family members. The members may or may not be biologically related. The bonds that unite them may or may not be legal ties. Most families do not support pregnancies especially of young women who are unmarried. Children born out of wedlock are often seen as a disgrace to many families hence they do not offer support to the pregnant women which causes mental health for them during their pregnancies and even after birth. Shophi (2024) adds by saying that “parents set very high standards for their children and constantly mount pressure on their children”. When a young woman is still living under the parents’ roof, the expectations are too high and one of them is that the young woman should get married, have their own home and then start having their own families. In cases where the scenario is different, parents often feel let down and disappointed and start treating pregnant women unfairly which causes a lot of stress during their pregnancies. Gender norms and the negative effects of sociocultural and economic factors are heavily influenced by context. Sociocultural views and patriarchal standards of what constitutes a “good girl or woman” can also have a significant impact on women’s physical and mental health.

Relationship breakups

Extremely stressful events, like a breakup in a relationship, can add to the woman’s stress levels during period, especially if it’s her first pregnancy. This can cause anxiety and depression symptoms or disorders in expectant mothers (Negussie et al., 2023). Nesane and Mulaudzi (2024) state that in many African cultures, pregnancy is highly valued to be shared with a spouse or husband, and a pregnant woman who has experienced a partner breakup may be concerned about failing to meet this societal value, which, when combined with other socioeconomic adversities, can lead to psychological or emotional stress. Additionally, unmarried pregnant women may experience an abhorrent stigma as being pregnant before getting married is viewed as dishonourable and inappropriate. In most cultural contexts of poor socioeconomic settings, breaking up during pregnancy has a tremendous impact on a woman’s life since it leaves her alone during a period that society normally recommends should be shared with a partner. This causes situational stress which makes an already unsettling circumstance worse. A breakup with the partner, instead, asserts stress to a woman, making pregnancy and motherhood challenging (Negussie et al., 2023).

Absent partners and denied pregnancies

Daniele (2021) assert that lack of male partner support is a risk factor for psychological distress among women during pregnancy. It is often known that fathers and other partners play a crucial role in the childbearing lifecycle. However, the negative impact of fatherlessness on pregnant women and their offspring has not received enough attention in the past. Research has shown that an absent father can contribute to his partner’s low mood, financial pressures, and lack of concrete help and advice. The impact of partners who are denied access or who are not involved in pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal relationship building with the fetus or infant has potentially devastating and long-term consequences for maternal and child health. Having a pregnancy denied by the father and having to raise a child alone and having an absent partner during and after pregnancy is very stressful.

The state of not being ready for parenthood and not believing in termination of pregnancies

Yazdkhasti et al. (2015) state that unintended pregnancy is among the most troubling public health problems and a major reproductive health issue worldwide imposing appreciable socioeconomic burden on individuals and society. Unintended pregnancies are pregnancies that are mistimed, unplanned or unwanted at the time of conception (Yazdkhasti et al.,2015). Literature reveals that having unfulfilled abortions causes a wide range of emotional problems among the expectant mother. These include remorse, a sense of being trapped, elevated anxiety, fear of the future, fear of working, and fear of the effects on one’s social network and financial situation. Furthermore, depressive symptoms are known to impede pregnant women from leading fulfilling lives. These symptoms include weight gain or loss, decreased appetite, sleeplessness, increased sleep, physical agitation, and mental slowness. Mental health issues in pregnant women are also caused by unintended pregnancies which women were not ready for. In other cases, people’s different believes about termination of pregnancies affects the mental health of pregnant women. Most expectant mothers feel happy as they await the arrival of their child. However, women may react to pregnancy in a planned or unplanned way for a variety of reasons. Only in the case of a planned pregnancy is a deliberate response feasible. Various anti-abortion beliefs are characteristic mainly of women who are forced to be with their unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. One of the leading risk factors can be the presence of religious anti-abortion beliefs and such beliefs can seriously impact the psychological condition of women.

Lack of social support and stressful conditions

Pregnancy is the time for women in which the need for social support is important. Pregnant women who receive social support have better mental and physical health and experience less stress. According to Bedaso et al. (2021) women receiving low social support during pregnancy are at risk of substances use, developing mental illness, and adverse birth outcomes. Bedaso (2021) defines social support as the provision of emotional (e.g. caring), or informational (e.g. notifying someone of important information) support, instrumental (e.g. helping with housekeeping), tangible (e.g. practical support like financial aid), and/or psychological support for somebody by the social network of family members, friends, and community members  Stress during pregnancy is also linked with a higher rate of problematic relationships with the infant, less-secure infant attachment to the mother, and weakened maternal-infant bonding, all of which can have both immediate and lifelong repercussions for the infant, particularly in terms of cognitive development, behavioural disorders, and problems in regulating emotions. Stress can also be brought on by conflicting emotions regarding a pregnancy or adverse life events, such finishing school and beginning a new job. Suicidal thoughts might escalate when they involve explicit or implicit allusions to the possibility of dying during the third trimester—perhaps even during childbirth. According to epidemiological study, the likelihood of suicide ideation might rise to 62.9% when prenatal depression is taken into account. Suicidal thoughts were reported to be prevalent in 25.8% of cases during the third trimester.

Risks/ effects of lack of counselling for pregnant women

Lack of counselling during pregnancy has numerous effects on women. The following is the discussion of how women are affected.

Psychological risks/ Mental health issues

According to Epifano et al. (2015) the transition to parenthood, despite being usually seen as a positive event, entails multiple challenges for women that may increase the risk of developing mental health difficulties. There is a higher likelihood of severe mental health issues among expectant moms who get insufficient or no counselling. Women experience serious mental issues during and after pregnancy. These include post-natal depression, Post-Partum Depression and anxiety. The following is the discussion of these issues.

Post-Natal Depression

Smith et al. (2024) state that Postnatal depression is the most prevalent psychopathology experienced within the perinatal period and has been associated with a range of adverse outcomes for both mother and infant. Symptoms of postnatal depression include sleeping and eating disturbances, irritability, tearfulness, and anxiety. Women with postnatal depression have decreased self-esteem, difficulty focusing, and difficulty making decisions. Additionally, they are less able to care for and enjoy their child. Many researchers have worked to create and assess postnatal depression treatments because of the possible effects on the health and development of the baby.

Post-Partum Depression

Stewart and Vigod (2016) state that postpartum depression is a disabling but treatable mental disorder that represents one of the most common complications of childbearing. Postpartum depression negatively impacts maternal emotional well-being, infant development, and breastfeeding practices. There are two types of postpartum depression. Postpartum or maternity blues which refer to a mild mood problem that is experienced for a short time. Postpartum major depression which is a severe illness that is life-threatening. Symptoms usually begin 3–4 days after delivery, worsen by days 5–7, and tend to go away by day 12. The new mother may experience mood fluctuations, with periods of feeling depressed, nervous, or agitated interspersed with periods of feeling well. She may also have difficulty falling asleep. Postpartum major depression can begin anytime in the first days or weeks after delivery and is far more serious than postpartum blues. This particular mood disorder is a biological condition resulting from alterations in brain chemistry and is not attributable to the mother or her “weak” or unstable personality. It’s a medical condition for which expert care is beneficial. A gloomy mood for most of the day, almost every day, for at least one month, is one of the signs of postpartum major depression. Post- partum depression in mothers has a detrimental and well-established direct effect on child developmental outcomes. Children of mothers who are depressed immediately after birth are at a significantly increased risk of experiencing difficulties during their childhood. It has been linked to controlling and agitated actions toward the child.

Anxiety

In accordance with Araji et al. (2020) anxiety during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes in mothers and infants. Anxiety and depression during pregnancy are significant complications that have been reported to affect between 20 – 40% of pregnant women (Araji et al., 2020). Particularly in the reproductive age group, women are disproportionately impacted by mood and anxiety disorders, and mental health problems frequently get worse or even appear during pregnancy. High risk pregnancy and labor are two major physiological risk factors associated with anxiety during pregnancy. other risk factors for anxiety disorders exists and can include environmental, physical, biological, social, and psychological determinants that may predispose an individual to develop an anxiety disorder in the antepartum, intrapartum or post-partum period. Since the presence of close partner support has been shown to be a predictor of anxiety during pregnancy, the quantity of social support one receives can also play a role in the development of anxiety disorders.

Physical risks

Problems with Breastfeeding

According to Fernandez et.al (2013) as cited by Smith et al. (2024). Women who present symptoms of depression and anxiety tend to breastfeed their infants for shorter periods of time and are more likely to combine breastmilk with formula than women with no mental health difficulties. As a result, the many advantages of exclusive breastfeeding for a child’s growth and for the mother-infant attachment may be limited.

Miscarriages and stillborn births

A pregnancy loss, in all its forms, whether it miscarriage, abortion, or fetal loss, is today one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes today (Araji et al., 2020). Between 15-20% of pregnancies are high-risk, wherein the pregnancy is complicated by one or more serious condition(s) that affect maternal and/or fetal outcome (Araji et al., 2020). High-risk pregnancies put the patient under greater time and financial pressure since they necessitate higher levels of care, more frequent doctor appointments, and tighter follow-up. Miscarriage and induced abortion are life events that can potentially cause mental distress (Randolph et al.,2015). The inability to cope with stress during pregnancy poses risks on the safety of the child and as a result miscarriages and stillborn births end up occurring.

DISCUSSION

After reviewing several literatures, it has been deduced that there are several factors that affect the mental health of women during and after pregnancy.  Mental health problems can be caused by family issues, for example, not being accepted by one’s family and family quarrels. Relationship breaks can also affect a women’s mental health during pregnancy. Going through the challenging time of pregnancy on your own is a challenge for pregnant women, they tend to overthink and this can cause stress which puts the life of the unborn child at risk. Having absent partners and denied pregnancies are also contributing factors to the mental health problems that women have during and after pregnancy. Some women fall pregnant without being ready for pregnancy and the fact that they don’t believe in termination of pregnancy makes it difficult for them to cope during pregnancy. Not getting social support from loved ones and living under stressful conditions can also cause mental health problems for pregnant women. The idea of going through the pregnancy alone with no one provide the necessary support can be challenging.  Mental health problems have both psychological and physical effects on both the expecting mother and the unborn child. Some of the effects include post-natal depression and post-partum depression. Anxiety is also one of the effects of lack of counselling during and after pregnancy. Physical risks include miscarriages and stillborn births.

Recommendations/ Implications for practice

The authors recommend that the Department of Health looks into the idea of prioritizing the mental health of pregnant women by making counselling services compulsory for every month’s checkup. Further research can study more about measures that can be put in place to address the issue of lack of counselling for pregnant women and new mothers and make counselling mandatory.

CONCLUSION

The mental health of pregnant women has a significant impact on pregnancy, labor, the health of the fetus and the future child and, consequently, also on child-rearing and educational processes. Recent studies have documented that depressive symptoms may increase in frequency or intensity during pregnancy or early in the postpartum period, making perinatal depression one of the most common complications of pregnancy. The mental health of pregnant women has a significant impact on pregnancy, labor, the health of the fetus and the future child and, consequently, also on child-rearing and educational processes. Recent studies have documented that depressive symptoms may increase in frequency or intensity during pregnancy or early in the postpartum period, making perinatal depression one of the most common complications of pregnancy.

Ethical Approval: Not Applicable.

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability: Not Applicable.

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