Urbanisation link to post-natal blues

A CONSULTANT obstetrician and gynaecologist feels that greater urbanisation could lead to more cases of post-natal depression.
Dr Ivan Lee Kick Kit, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Seremban Specialist Hospital, said new mothers may not have relatives available to look after their babies.
The days of mothers wanting to leave hospital the same day as the delivery may soon be over, he warns.
"In Asia, there is always someone to care for new mothers and their babies. But an increase in urbanisation may mean this being lost over time," he said.
Dr Lee says new mothers in the West want to stay longer in hospital as they do not have the family support like women in Asia do. He says cases of post-natal depression may also be low in Asia due to the social stigma attached or under-diagnosis.
"The causes of post-natal depression are also difficult to determine as it could be multi-farious."
Dr Lee said the incidence of post-natal depression was not adequately documented in the region.
A study conducted at Seremban Hospital in 1997 which he published found 3.9 per cent of new mothers suffered from post-natal depression.
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (KLGH) psychiatrist Dr Nor Hayati Ali says many first-time mothers are not aware of the condition.
"There is a possibility that one out of 10 mothers go through this kind of depression. But it is only referred to us at the end stage or when they start hurting the baby."
The KLGH receives a new case every month.
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