Dr Chua Tze-Ern, Head and Senior Consultant, Women’s Mental Wellness Service, Department of Psychological Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), answers your questions about mother's and infant's mental health.
A new mother’s health is closely linked to her baby’s.
That is why a healthier mother means a healthier tomorrow for both mother and baby.
Mothers who have mood symptoms may not be able to function normally, or have difficulty bonding with their infants.
Maternal depression can impact an infant’s brain development, and may affect his or her temperament, behaviour and subsequent readiness for school.
The key to preventing these negative effects is early screening and prompt attention for symptoms of depression and anxiety, preferably even before pregnancy.
In this ‘Ask the Specialist’ Q&A forum,
Dr Chua Tze-Ern, Head and Senior Consultant from
Women’s Mental Wellness Service and the
Department of Psychological Medicine at
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), answers your questions on ways to optimise mother and infant mental health outcomes. KKH is a member of the
SingHealth group.
This 'Ask the Specialist' forum has closed. Thank you for your interest and participation.
About Dr Chua Tze-Ern
Dr Chua Tze-Ern is Head and Senior Consultant of the Women’s Mental Wellness Service, Department of Psychological Medicine at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH).
Her clinical special interest is in mood disorders, particularly in women around the time of pregnancy. She is an active researcher, serving as department Research Lead, and has published numerous scientific papers and book contributions.
She holds teaching appointments at local medical schools and has lectured at local and international conferences. She is an advocate for patient safety and mental health awareness.
Dr Chua is a member of the KKH Workgroup that recently developed Singapore’s first Perinatal Mental Health Guidelines to benefit women before, during and after childbirth.
Ref: I23
