Mother and Baby Units matter: improved outcomes for both

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mother and Baby Units matter

T2 - improved outcomes for both

AU - Stephenson, Lucy A

AU - Macdonald, Alastair

AU - Seneviratne, Gertrude

AU - Waites, Freddie

AU - Pawlby, Susan

PY - 2018/4/19

Y1 - 2018/4/19

N2 - BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their relationship in one MBU.MethodPaired maternal Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores and Crittenden CARE-Index (CCI) mother–infant interaction data were collected at admission and discharge.ResultsThere were significant improvements in BPRS (n = 152), HoNOS (n = 141) and CCI (n = 62) scores across diagnostic groups. Maternal BPRS scores and mother–infant interaction scores were unrelated. Improvement in maternal HoNOS scores was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and reduction in maternal unresponsiveness and infant passiveness.ConclusionsPositive outcomes were achieved for mothers and babies across all diagnostic groups. Reduction in maternal symptoms, as measured by BPRS, does not necessarily confer improvement in mother–infant interaction. MBU treatment should focus on both maternal symptoms and mother–infant interaction.Declaration of interestNone.

AB - BackgroundMother and Baby Units (MBUs) are usually preferred by patients and clinicians. Current provision is limited, although expansion is in progress. To ensure successful investment in services, outcome measurement is vital.AimsTo describe maternal outcomes, mother–infant outcomes and their relationship in one MBU.MethodPaired maternal Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) scores and Crittenden CARE-Index (CCI) mother–infant interaction data were collected at admission and discharge.ResultsThere were significant improvements in BPRS (n = 152), HoNOS (n = 141) and CCI (n = 62) scores across diagnostic groups. Maternal BPRS scores and mother–infant interaction scores were unrelated. Improvement in maternal HoNOS scores was associated with improved maternal sensitivity and reduction in maternal unresponsiveness and infant passiveness.ConclusionsPositive outcomes were achieved for mothers and babies across all diagnostic groups. Reduction in maternal symptoms, as measured by BPRS, does not necessarily confer improvement in mother–infant interaction. MBU treatment should focus on both maternal symptoms and mother–infant interaction.Declaration of interestNone.

U2 - 10.1192/bjo.2018.7

DO - 10.1192/bjo.2018.7

M3 - Article

SN - 2056-4724

VL - 4

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry Open

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry Open

IS - 3

ER -