Attitudes of student midwives caring for women with perinatal mental health problems

Psychiatric illness is one of the leading indirect causes of maternal mortality and maternal morbidity in the UK. A confidential report on the causes of maternal death in the UK suggested a significant number of deaths of women during pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood, are due to suicide (Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE), 2011). Despite the number of women who suffer as a result of maternal psychiatric illness, deficiencies in the care that women receive, in particular from midwives, have been widely reported (McCauley et al, 2011; Jones et al, 2012). There is a suggestion that the training and education midwives receive does not adequately prepare them for caring for women with mental health problems (RossDavie, 2006; Jones et al, 2012). Jones et al (2012) found that although midwives were comfortable in questioning women about emotional problems, they were not comfortable, nor did they feel competent in offering women simple techniques to alleviate anxiety and depression. Furthermore, midwives’ perceived lack of competence in their ability to care for women often affected their confidence, which in turn influenced motivation and willingness to provide care to women with mental health problems (Jones et al, 2012).