Mothers of preschoolers more at risk of having post-natal depression than mums of newborns

RUSHED and stressed mothers of pre-schoolers are more at risk of developing post-natal depression than mums with newborns, new research shows.

18/3/15. There is increasing evidence that women are more likely to become post-natally depressed when their children are four. Sarah Hausler is involved in the Full Bloom Expo at SASS Palce (Parkside) in Adelaide on Saturday. Her Talk, "Connecting the Dots - An integrated approach to Post-Natal Wellbeing" will be talking about this. Sarah with her children - Maisie, 2 and Ella, 4 playing on the Semaphore foreshore. Pic Keryn Stevens

RUSHED and stressed mothers of pre-schoolers are more at risk of developing post-natal depression than mums with newborns, new research shows.

Mother of two and occupational therapist Sarah Hausler said research by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found women were more likely to report depressive symptoms when their child was four years old, than at any point in the first year of their child’s life.

Ms Hausler, who is co-organiser of Saturday’s Full Bloom Pregnancy and Motherhood Wellbeing Expo, said stereotypes that normalised tired, stressed mother, were creating a generation of mums who suffered from “Rushing Mummy Syndrome”.

“I’m so tired of seeing mothers everywhere who are barely hanging on by their fingertips, but who think that’s okay, because ‘Hey, I’m just a busy mum, it’ll be better when the kids are sleeping through, are toilet trained, at kindy, high school or get their own driver’s licence’,” she said.

“It’s not okay to accept a level of sub-standard wellbeing until your children graduate high school and you finally ‘have time for yourself’ again.”

Ms Hausler said it was worrying that a mother’s exhaustion, dissatisfaction and frustration were no longer seen as warning signs of depression, but expected as a normal part of motherhood.

“It highlights the very real need for awareness of postnatal depression in women further into their motherhood journey.”

For expo details, visit www.bloomwellbeing.com.au/fullbloom