By: Sarah Baafi
The Principal Midwifery Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo, has raised concerns over the growing stigma surrounding mental health challenges among pregnant women, stressing that many women suffer in silence because society expects them to “just endure” pregnancy.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show during a discussion on mental health in pregnancy, labour, delivery and the postpartum period, Madam Martey Dodoo said emotional struggles such as stress, anxiety, fear and depression are common during pregnancy, yet many women are afraid to speak about them.
“When pregnant women speak about their struggles, some people wrongly think they are not ‘woman enough’ to handle pregnancy,” she stated.
She said hormonal changes, financial difficulties, traumatic pregnancy experiences, relationship challenges and lack of family support often place enormous psychological pressure on pregnant women.
“In Africa, immediately you are pregnant and you are complaining, people think you are not strong enough. Pregnancy is not a disease, but every woman has a different coping ability,” she explained.
She noted that some women live in constant fear throughout pregnancy, especially those who have previously experienced miscarriages, stillbirths or traumatic deliveries.
“Some women are constantly asking themselves, ‘Will I lose this baby too? Will I survive labor?’ These fears are real and must not be ignored,” she added.
Madam Martey Dodoo further explained that untreated mental health challenges during pregnancy can affect both mother and child, leading to poor eating habits, missed antenatal visits, high blood pressure, premature birth and low birth weight.
She urged families, partners and society at large to provide emotional and practical support to pregnant women instead of dismissing their concerns.
“We need to listen to pregnant women, support them and encourage them to speak out. Sometimes just talking about their fears and receiving reassurance can help them cope better,” she emphasized.
The midwifery expert also encouraged women to seek professional help whenever they feel emotionally overwhelmed during pregnancy or after childbirth, stressing that mental health care is just as important as physical care throughout the pregnancy journey.
