Postpartum depression

The birth of a child is one of the most beautiful moments in the life of every parent. In some cases, however, it happens that the mother or father develops a "postnatal depression". Constant fatigue, deep sadness and increased irritability are common symptoms. In this context, our deputy Carole Hartmann asked the Minister of Health about the existing treatment options in Luxembourg.

« No der Gebuert erliewe vill Mammen eng kuerz Phase an där si sech traureg, gereizt, midd a veronséchert fillen – dee sougenannte „Baby Blues“.  An der Reegel verflitt dëse Gemittszoustand ganz ouni Behandlung an hält just e puer Stonnen oder Deeg un.

Wann d’Symptomer allerdéngs méi schlëmm ginn a sech iwwer Wochen oder souguer Méint ewech zéien, ka sech dohannert eng eescht Erkrankung mat potenziell schwéiere Folge fir d’Mamm, d’Kand an d’Famill verstoppen. Riets geet vun der „post-nataler Depressioun“. Hei ass et wichteg sou schnell wéi méiglech ëm Hëllef ze froen.

An deem Kader wollt ech der Madamm Gesondheetsministesch folgend Froe stellen:

  • Wéi vill jonk Mammen leiden zu Lëtzebuerg an der Moyenne ënnert „post-natalen Depressiounen“ ? Wéi huet sech dës Zuel iwwer déi leschte Joren verännert a wat sinn d’Ursaachen dofir ?
  • Ginn et bestëmmte Facteuren, déi de Risk un enger „post-nataler Depressioun“ ze  erkranken erhéijen? Kann de sozio-kulturellen Hannergrond eventuell och eng Roll heibäi spillen ?
  • Ënnert wéi enger Form gi schwanger Fraen an hir Partner iwwer de Sujet vun der „post-nataler Depressioun“ sensibiliséiert? Wéi eng Preventiounsmesuren existéieren zu Lëtzebuerg ?
  • Wéi eng Strukturen ginn et hei am Land fir de betraffene Persounen ze hëllefen? Wéi eng Zorte vu Behandlungen ginn ugebueden a ginn dës vun der Krankekeess rembourséiert ?
  • Nieft de Mammen kënnen och d‘Pappen no der Gebuert ënnert gréisseren Depressiounen leiden. Huet d’Madamm Ministesch eventuell Statistiken iwwer d’Unzuel vun de betraffene Männer? »

Answer

In her answer, the Minister of Health says that she has no data on post-natal depressions in Luxembourg. However, she knows of both mothers and fathers who suffer from this problem. Stress and complications during pregnancy or childbirth, conflicts in the family or with the life partner, as well as financial and social problems are well-known risk factors, she says. When it comes to prevention, the topic would be addressed both in antenatal classes and by professional birth attendants.

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