The lonely reality of becoming a mother

Loneliness is a common experience for women during late pregnancy and the busy months after the baby arrives

Ashley Westpheling with her nine month old baby son. Photograph Moya Nolan

SOME 77% of women experience feelings of loneliness during pregnancy and early motherhood. This is according to research by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s Centre for Positive Health Sciences and the HSE Dublin, South Kildare, and West Wicklow area.

The finding does not surprise Dr Sabrina Coyle, a senior psychologist in specialist perinatal mental health at the Coombe Hospital.