Postpartum depression is silently tormenting new mothers in rural western Uganda, with health experts raising concern over a growing number of cases—some marked by suicidal thoughts and attempts.
This condition, which sets in after childbirth, is characterised by intense mood swings, anxiety, sadness, crying spells, trouble sleeping, and a deep sense of helplessness.
In communities where access to maternal mental healthcare is limited, the suffering often goes unnoticed until it turns tragic.
Dr Leevan Tibaijuka, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and head of its high-risk obstetrics unit, says more women are presenting with symptoms that go beyond the expected emotional fluctuations after childbirth.
“Women present with mood swings ranging from elements of sadness, anxiety, crying, difficulty in finding sleep, and struggling to cope with stress after delivery. Some find it difficult to bond with their newborns or even care for them,” Dr Tibaijuka explained.
In some severe cases, he added, women develop suicidal thoughts or may contemplate harming their babies.
“At some point, they want to throw away their newborns,” he warned.
One such case involved a 17-year-old mother from Sheema District, whose ordeal began with multiple failed abortion attempts.
Terrified of her father’s threats against pregnancy, she concealed her condition and eventually gave birth alone in a plantation, abandoning the baby.
The child was later rescued by residents.
"I got pregnant despite my father warning us that anyone who got pregnant would be burned alive," the teenager recounted.
"I tried to abort, but failed. I gave birth when my parents were still unaware of the pregnancy. I delivered alone in a plantation and abandoned the baby there."
For adult mothers, the struggle doesn’t end in the delivery room. Many return home to domestic violence, economic hardship, and emotional neglect—factors that intensify the weight of postpartum depression.
"I go through a lot of hardship, and when I report the violence and my husband gets arrested, life becomes even more difficult," said Rosemary Kobusingye from Bwizibwera.
"Not every pregnant woman has access to the things she needs. Some lack money—especially when the husband is poor or has abandoned her. This affects both the mother and the child," added Annet Kapasika, also from Bwizibwera.
Health centres, meant to offer relief, are sometimes part of the problem. Some mothers report being met with harsh attitudes from nurses.
"When we went to the hospital, the welcome wasn’t warm. The nurses were rude. That was the first problem we encountered," Kobusingye shared.
Despite the growing number of affected women, postpartum depression is often missed during routine care.
Dr Tibaijuka attributes this to the absence of deliberate screening mechanisms.
“From our local studies, up to 27 percent of women screened were found to have postpartum depression. That’s two to three in every ten,” he revealed.
He urged healthcare workers to incorporate mental health checks into postnatal care routines.
“Screening should be intentional. As much as it’s not being done routinely in some settings, there’s a need for deliberate efforts to catch these conditions early," the obstetric specialist added.
The typical onset is between four to eight weeks after childbirth, though symptoms can appear sooner. Many mothers don’t understand what they’re going through, making it critical for families and caregivers to recognise the signs and encourage medical attention.
Dr Tibaijuka stressed the role of support at home.
“Social support at home is very instrumental. It helps women cope with these conditions or detect them early so that proper help can be given,” he said.
As the silence around postpartum depression persists, its toll continues to rise. For rural mothers in Uganda, urgent action and empathetic care could mean the difference between resilience and tragedy.