Research offers practical tips to help tired mums

Kaddie Pass

19 September 2006: A University of Canberra researcher is providing strategies to help mothers cope with fatigue after childbirth.

Jan Taylor, a midwife with 23 years' experience, identified fatigue as a significant problem for women after birth. Her PhD research looked at how women manage their fatigue, and how useful their chosen strategies were.

Getting friends to help out with a bit of housework is one way mums can cope with postnatal fatigue, according to Dr Taylor Photo: Edward O'Daly

"The study gives both midwives and parents a better understanding of strategies used to manage fatigue and may assist women and midwives to work in partnership to reduce the impact of fatigue in the postnatal period, " Dr Taylor said.

"The 'superwoman identity' has created an increased pressure on women and men these days and parents should be realistic about how much they can achieve."

An important theme of the study was women needed to look after themselves in order to look after their family, Dr Taylor said.

Taking time out away from the task of being a mother was important and could be something as simple as a short walk. Dr Taylor said that while resting was commonly used to battle fatigue, a surprise finding was some women used exercise to increase their energy levels.

Dr Taylor said women and their partners should think about support systems and think laterally - beyond the partner or immediate family.

"Antenatal classes should encourage people to ask for support. Also rather than asking friends for embroidered singlets for the new baby, parents could get an IOU to clean the bath."

The study focused on 59 women with partners from the ACT, ranging in age from 20 to 44 years of age, almost half with tertiary qualifications.

"Many of the women had jobs where they were used to successfully managing and organising their schedules so it comes as a bit of a shock when they are too exhausted to organise their time with a new baby," Dr Taylor said.

The research was part of a larger study Dr Taylor undertook involving 504 women that examined the links between postnatal fatigue, depression and anxiety.