Health workers tell of pregnant asylum seekers’ desperate adoption pleas

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A drawing by an expectant woman on Christmas Island.

A drawing by a pregnant detainee on Christmas Island.

Pregnant asylum seekers on Christmas Island pleaded with medical experts four months ago to put their children up for adoption by Australian families as the women became increasingly anxious about their future.

Child psychiatrist Sarah Mares told Fairfax Media that during a visit to the centre in March, mothers and pregnant women exhibited extremely high levels of depression and anxiety, telling her they would rather die at sea than not be processed on Christmas Island.

”This is related to the women’s experience of prolonged indefinite detention in a situation where they don’t feel adequate to care for their babies or protect them,” said Dr Mares, who has 30 years’ experience as a perinatal and child psychiatrist. ”Many of these women have come from countries where there is considerable violence against women.”

The mothers were also concerned about the health of their babies, who had weeping sores, ringworm and skin infections, Dr Mares said.