Menu

Blog

IFWIP attends Unlimited Wellbeing event at Derby (UK)

25th March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Founder's blog, IFWIP activities

IFWIP Founder, Dr Raja Gangopadhyay, had an opportunity to have an Exhibition stand to showcase the work of IFWIP to raise awareness of wellbeing in pregnancy in global perspective. The Exhibition and the Conference was organised by Unlimited Wellbeing at the Pride Park Stadium (Derby, United Kingdom). This was a brilliant event and there was excellent turnover. [caption id="attachment_854" align="alignnone" width="300"] Pride Park Stadium, Derby, UK[/caption] IFWIP stand was very well attended and people from all walks of life came and appreciated this global initiative. Dr Gangopadhyay also had an opportunity to speak with other Exhibitors and shared the theme of IFWIP with...

Read More

Inspirational work: meet Emma Jane Sasaru from United Kingdom

22nd March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Inspiring stories

Dr Raja Gangopadhyay, Founder, International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy (IFWIP) requested Emma Jane Sasaru to share her inspirational work in supporting mothers and families. Emma is from United Kingdom (UK) and working tirelessly in 'raising awareness of perinatal PTSD, anxiety, panic disorder and birth trauma by talking at conferences, campaigning, blogging and helping with the setting up of strategic pathways in local Trusts and helping develop education for healthcare professionals'.  Emma summarised her work as follows: "I currently work in the National Health Service (NHS) in the Health in Pregnancy Service (HiPS) team at the Walsall NHS Healthcare NHS Trust...

Read More

Inspirational story: Laura Clark

21st March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Inspiring stories

Dr Raja Gangopadhyay, Founder, International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy (IFWIP) requested Laura Clark to share her inspirational work in the field of Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing and Self-Care For Parents. Laura is a highly respected Parenting/ Lifestyle writer & mental health advocate from United Kingdom (UK). She suffered from Postnatal Depression / Anxiety. Now she is doing outstanding work in raising awareness and training healthcare professionals. She has created the Butterfly Mother blog where she shares "the painfully honest highs & lows of family life, including survival tips, recipes and reviews. PLUS, plenty of tips & self-care ideas for keeping mentally...

Read More

Twitter Opinion Poll: Is it possible to prevent recurrence of perinatal depression with Mindfulness?

20th March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Founder's blog, IFWIP activities

Dr Raja Gangopadhyay, Founder, International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy (IFWIP) conducted an opinion poll on Twitter on 18th March 2018. He asked the question: "Is it possible to prevent recurrence of depression in perinatal period with Mindfulness-based intervention? What do you think?" The options were: 1) Yes  2)No  3) Could be 4) More research needed 50 people participated in the poll and the results are as follows: 1. Yes: 15% 2. No: 10% 3. Could be: 29% 4. More research needed: 46%     A recent systematic review also suggests the need for more research: "Further methodologically rigorous evaluation using...

Read More

Ashley Curry, one of the IFWIP Board of Advisers, attended OCD Action National Conference

19th March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Inspiring stories

Mr Ashley Curry, one of the members of Board of Advisers of International Forum for Wellbeing In Pregnancy (IFWIP), was invited to attend as a Panel of Experts for the session, "Q&A on accessing treatment and other advocacy issues" at the OCD Action National Conference in London (UK) on 3rd March 2018. He shared his experiences and how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was beneficial to his recovery. Professor David Veale, Dr Rob Willson, Dr Lynne Drummond, Dr Amita Jassi were also on the panel at the Conference answering questions from the audience, about effective treatment for those that have obsessive-compulsive disorder, and...

Read More

Prevention of relapse of depression during perinatal period: Can Mindfulness be the solution?

17th March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: News/ Research

A study published (2016) by the researchers of the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy adapted for Perinatal Depression (MBCT-PD) during pregnancy may reduce the risk of relapse of depression symptoms in mothers with the previous history of depression. This was the first Randomised Control Trial (RCT) to explore the effectiveness of MBCT-PD during the antenatal period.   The authors conclude that: "MBCT-PD is an acceptable and clinically beneficial program for pregnant women with histories of depression; teaching the skills and practices of mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy during pregnancy may help to reduce the risk of...

Read More

Free Online webinar on Mother’s day

10th March 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Webinars

IFWIP Founder, Consultant Obstetrician, Mr Raja Gangopadhyay would be taking part in the Online Webinar hosted by Hala Jawad. Hala is a pharmacist and the Founder of the website: https://askhala.com/ Hala also supports IFWIP as a member of the Board of Advisers. The Webinar would take place on the Mother's Day (11th March 2018) at 7 pm (UK time) and is aimed towards all members of the society including health professionals, parents, carers, campaigners and people from all walks of life and all around the world. You do not have to be a healthcare professional or working in the field of Perinatal...

Read More

You inspired me to DREAM…

1st January 2018
| No Comments
| Categories: Founder's blog, IFWIP activities

In this article, IFWIP Founder Dr Raja Gangopadhyay reflects on his journey in 2017 raising awareness of the importance of wellbeing during pregnancy: I am indeed very grateful to all of you in the social media for your incredible support and I feel very honoured to know and connect with you. You encouraged me at every step of my journey and came forward to give me your valuable advice whenever I needed.... You inspired me to speak & express my views and opinions I learnt from you how to speak up fearlessly for the better care of the mothers and families....

Read More

Launch of YouTube channel and a global awareness video

28th October 2017
| No Comments
| Categories: Founder's blog, IFWIP activities

A dedicated YouTube channel was launched on 22nd October 2017, called 'IFWIP website'. This channel aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing in every pregnancy. This would also explore how we all can work together to achieve this goal. Mental illness can develop for the first time during pregnancy or after childbirth, even if the mother does not have any previous mental health history. Therefore, the information and awareness are important for every single mother during pregnancy, regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy. The first video (Perinatal Mental Health: Why should we address this in Pregnancy?) was...

Read More

An event at the UK Parliament to raise awareness of Mental Health conditions during pregnancy & beyond

21st October 2017
| No Comments
| Categories: Founder's blog, IFWIP activities

I am very pleased to announce that I have a great opportunity to organise the following event at the House of Commons (#HopeNov20): ‘Addressing Mental Health Conditions during pregnancy and beyond’ on Monday 20th November 2017, 1pm – 6pm, House of Commons (UK Parliament). I am very grateful to the following MPs who have kindly sponsored the venue: Mr Richard Harrington MP (Watford) Mr Tim Loughton MP (East Worthing and Shoreham) Mr Norman Lamb MP (North Norfolk) Background and aims This event is dedicated to all the mothers and their families affected by the Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) illnesses and aims at raising awareness on Maternal Mental...

Read More