The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge has hosted a round-table discussion on maternal mental health.
Kate, who is expecting her third child, held the private meeting, which was not announced beforehand, at her London home Kensington Palace, with The Royal Foundation.
Kensington Palace, who tweeted a photo of a smiling Kate, joining guests at the discussion, said: “The Duchess is keen to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding maternal mental health, and to learn what support is available.”
The Duchess of Cambridge today hosted a roundtable discussion on maternal mental health at Kensington Palace with The Royal Foundation. pic.twitter.com/LFMzAhpvSu
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
The Palace also revealed that the Duchess is to visit the Hornsey Road Children’s Centre – the engagement she was forced to postpone in September on the day the forthcoming royal baby was announced.
As with her previous pregnancies, Kate has been battling hyperemesis gravidarum – a condition which causes severe sickness in pregnancy.
Two months on, she is finally well enough to make it to the London children’s centre on November 14 to learn more about Family Action’s perinatal mental health services and meet parents who have been helped by the charity.
The Duchess is keen to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding maternal mental health, and to learn what support is available.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
At least 20% of women are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
If left untreated, maternal mental health problems can have significant and long lasting effect on the woman and her family.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
On Wednesday the Duchess met experts from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Family Action, King’s College London, the Best Beginnings charity which aims to reduce child health inequalities, and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
At least 20% of women are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child, the Palace said.
Experts were from @MMMHAlliance @AFNCCF @family_action@KingsCollegeLon @bestbeginnings & Royal College of Obstetricians &
Gynaecologists— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
The Duchess has spoken about the importance of having open conversations about maternal health, and the impact this can have on family.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2017
Excellent attending roundtable discussion today with The Duchess of Cambridge on #perinatal #MaternalMentalHealth https://t.co/hDb2st3ouc
— Family Action (@family_action) November 1, 2017
Kate has, in the past, described her life as mother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte as a “rewarding and wonderful experience”, but admitted that it had been a “huge challenge” at times that has left her feeling a “lack of confidence” for periods.
She opened up about her maternal struggles in March as she attended the launch of a series of films aimed at helping new parents cope with depression and other mental health issues.
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