The birth of a child is a source of many intense emotions: love, joy, enthusiasm but sometimes also frustration, nervousness or even a feeling of “baby blues” which can develop into so-called “postpartum” depression. The ministry places the fight against this psychological disorder among its priorities by supporting parents during these first months: this, through better training of professionals and improvement of the care pathway, for example.
What is postpartum depression and what are its symptoms?
According to the national perinatal survey conducted in 2021, 15 to 20% of women who have given birth experience postpartum depression.
These disorders occur following childbirth and can last for months.
Postpartum depression manifests itself in particular through severe fatigue, sleep problems, deep sadness, negative thoughts or even difficulty caring for your baby.
For more information, visit the First 1,000 Days website.
What support for women facing postpartum depression?
In March 2025, the ministry will launch an experiment in 6 regions. It will aim to better support women facing postpartum depression by using the strengthening of specific regional perinatal systems (DSRP) already existing in the field.
3 objectives will be pursued by this experiment:
- train medical professionals on the psychological consequences of postpartum depression
- raise awareness among women about postpartum depression, treatment or intervention options and medical monitoring and psychological support systems
- improve access to psychological follow-up for women presenting symptoms suggestive of postpartum depression but also to their medical follow-up (and possibly their spouse).
How does it relate to the child’s first 1,000 days strategy?
In order to improve support for future parents and young children, the First 1,000 Days site offers a “tailor-made”, coherent and signposted route, from the 4th month of pregnancy to the return home.
This course offers global support, taking into account all the medical, social and psychological issues encountered during the child’s first 1,000 days.
It is within this more general framework that the experimentation, carried out by the ministry, takes place.
Useful links:
Health insurance.
Santé.fr
Swiss
