Hospitals have no units to admit new mother and her baby if she has mental health illness

Michelle Daly Hayes with son Luke as a baby. 'Those supports need to be available to every woman who needs them.'

New research from the National Women's Council (NWC) has shone a light on the gap in perinatal mental health services.

It found that there isn't a single hospital unit in the country where a new mother and her baby could be admitted together if she is facing severe mental illnesses.

The establishment of mother and baby units was recommended in 2017 when the HSE began developing mental health services for pregnant women.

Evidence shows that one in five women experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy. However, a woman with severe or complex needs who could benefit from being an in-patient can only be admitted to general mental health units without her baby.

Doireann Crosson, Women’s Health Coordinator at NWC, said: “Women cannot wait any longer. Allowing mother and baby to remain together is crucial for attachment and bonding. This is why NWC has repeatedly called for the urgent establishment of a mother and baby unit.” 

The research is based on roundtable discussions between women with various experiences of maternity services, including migrant and Traveller women. It also highlighted general deficiencies despite ongoing reforms.  

The report recommends "secure and sustainable investment" in the HSE model of care so it can be fully implemented. 

Michelle Daly Hayes

Michelle Daly Hayes, from Limerick, supports this call. She explained she suffered from PTSD after her first son's birth, Luke. She also experienced trauma during her second pregnancy, this time she had specialist support. 

“I was lucky after the birth of my second son Cole to have the support of a perinatal mental health nurse, and a community mother here at home in Limerick,” she said, referring to a home visiting service.

In comparison to her first birth, she said: “I didn’t have the same levels of anxiety at all” because of the help available.

“It’s not easy to answer a doctor’s quick question about mental health during a half-hour consultation — and not everyone gets asked," she said. 

"But the perinatal team was there just to talk about my mental health. Those supports need to be available to every woman who needs them.”