Women's College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario asked 1,000 women what their ideal in women's healthcare would be. One of the outcomes? "A supervised and enclosed child care space will be available in the Women’s Mental Health Program, so that patients can get the care they need without worrying unnecessarily."
They are also looking into web-based mental health support groups for women in the community. I would have liked to have seen more in the report about mental health and postnatal mental illness, but I was so pleased to see that they were actually paying attention to the needs and ideas of real women. We need more healthcare organizations and hospitals to do the same thing!
I think that every time I go to the doctor's office or the emergency room–they need to have a childcare facility with trained supervision so I can take care of the sick child without having to find a babysitter for the healthy child.
I love seeing stuff like this.
Every time Ive thought of attending a PPD support group or something of the like, I think "but what will I do with the kids while Im there?"
It would be awesome to see some child care options on site.
The last time I went to visit my psychiatrist at the Reproductive Mental Health Centre, they had a volunteer who was there to play with my daughter in the playroom! It was lovely, my kid had a fun half hour drawing and playing, and I had a peaceful appointment!
Gosh, our support group includes the babies, and even the toddler siblings now. I can't imagine not allowing at least the babies.