The experience of motherhood in women with severe and enduring mental illness.
BACKGROUND
This study considers the experience of motherhood of women who are patients of the rehabilitation services in Leicester.


METHODS
Data were collected from case notes, by semi-structured interviews with all women identified as mothers, and by enquiries with key workers on demographic characteristics, number of children, contact with and separations from these children, and other relationships.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight women had 122 children. Of the mothers, 68 % were permanently separated from at least one child before the age of 18 years, and often had little or no subsequent contact with them. There was also attrition of other important relationships. There was scanty documentation about these issues in medical notes.


CONCLUSIONS
Many women in long-term psychiatric care have experienced multiple losses. Clinicians should be mindful of this.
Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare Trust, Mill Lodge, Mill Lane, Kegworth, Derby DE 74 2EJ.
Heather
H
Dipple
Susan
S
Smith
Harry
H
Andrews
Barbara
B
Evans
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D002669:Child Welfare; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology