Rural mothers travel hours to give birth, struggle with depression

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

One-third of rural Australian mothers travel more than two hours to give birth, while many experience post-natal depression in isolation.

A survey of 1,068 rural Australian women has revealed significant challenges facing mothers in remote areas. One-third of respondents had to travel more than two hours to give birth, while more than two-thirds experienced post-natal depression or anxiety. Critically, half of those mothers struggling with mental health issues never sought professional help.

Rhiannon Finger's experience illustrates these difficulties. After her first son was born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing 770 grams, her second high-risk pregnancy could not be managed by her local country hospital near Clermont in central Queensland. She moved 500 kilometres away from her family's cattle farm to live closer to specialist care in Townsville until her daughter was born.

After two complex births, Ms Finger fell into post-natal depression. 'I kept putting getting help on the to-do list,' she said, describing the isolation many rural mothers face. The report by rural parenting charity Motherland indicates that Ms Finger's experience of travelling long distances for care and struggling with mental health challenges in isolation is likely familiar to many rural mothers across Australia.

How it is being reported

• Joy and pain of rural life, as mums carry the loadOne-third of rural mums have to travel more than two hours to give birth, while many also struggle alone with post-natal depression, a new report shows.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 01:26
• Joy and pain of rural life, as mums carry the loadOne-third of rural mums have to travel more than two hours to give birth, while many also struggle alone with post-natal depression, a new report shows.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 01:26

In this story: Rhiannon Finger · Motherland · Clermont · Townsville · Queensland · Australia

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