This is a first in Calvados. A forum entirely dedicated to perinatal and early childhood is organized this weekend of November 9 and 10 in Soliersnear Caen (Calvados). For two days, dozens of health professionals and several associations will be present to meet parents. This forum is organized by the association Benevolent parenthesis chaired by Audrey Loinard, a resident of Soliers and mother of three children.
Audrey Loinard founded this association in 2021 to help young parents, through various practical or theoretical workshops offered each month (baby carrying for example). But in parallel with these workshops, it above all offers a space for dialogue to parents or future parents who wish to confide in them about their anxieties and difficulties. Today, up to 20% of mothers experience postpartum depression (or perinatal depression) in the weeks after giving birth.
Sophie is one of the young mothers helped by the association. Despite the support of her partner, this resident of Luc-sur-Mer experienced very difficult first months after the birth of her daughter two years ago. “It was a first baby for me. There are lots of emotions mixed together but also lots of doubts. We are never sure that what we are doing is right. My daughter has infant colic, so it wasn't easy for me to deal with. Clearly, I had some pretty major low moments where I actually found myself crying because I couldn't take it anymore“, confides the young mother.
Thanks to the Parent'hèse Bienveillante association, she was able to confide without fear of being judged. “I got a lot of very kind advice and it did me a lot of good to refocus and see the positive.“Today, although Sophie is better, she continues to participate in workshops around managing children's emotions, for example.
A subject still taboo
This subject of postpartum depression is still very little discussed today. Audrey Loinard, the president of the association, herself experienced depression after the birth of her first child fourteen years ago. “I think that everything related to women and mental health is still a bit taboo.“She recalls that suicide is the leading cause of death in France among young mothers.
The maternal instinct is not innate, it can sometimes take several weeks, several months or even several years to develop. Young mothers sometimes feel like they don't fit in and face a feeling of guilt. “The parents who will have the lowest morale are often those who will think that it is only them who cannot do it or who encounter this or that problem. Daring to talk about it is very important. Above all, you must not stay alone. I think that even the most beautiful and smooth motherhoods have all experienced certain waves, even certain storms at given times, because it is the birth of a child, but it is also the birth of a mother, the birth of a father and the birth of a family. Obviously, it's super intense“, adds Audrey Loinard.
Irene Prigent
The association thus allows parents not to be alone in the face of their anxieties, their questions and their intimate challenges. Audrey Loinard supports around a hundred families each year. She also acts as a link between parents and health professionals. to extend the support. Around thirty will also be present this weekend at the forum.
