Postnatal Depression - There Is Help - And You Can Feel Better

Postnatal depression (or PND as it can be known) is an illness that affects some women after they have had a baby. It will occur in ten to fifteen per cent of all mothers, so it's not as rare as some people might think.

Most new mothers will go through a bit of a down stage after giving birth to their baby. This is often known as 'baby blues'. As hormones start to change yet again in your body, you may feel down or a little 'under the weather' This shouldn't be a constant feeling though.

Symptoms of postnatal depression

• Generally feeling down. You might find yourself crying with no real reason.

• You may feel quite irritable with people around you, even your new baby.

• You may find you go off your food, and just don't feel hungry, even though you know you should keep up your strength, especially if you are breastfeeding.

• You don't enjoy things like you used too. Maybe you used to love going out shopping, and yet now you just can't face it.

• You may find it hard to sleep, even though you're shattered. Feeling tired is a common thing when there is new baby around, but you should be able to sleep while baby lets you.

• Feeling that you have no energy, and just no 'get up and go'. Although this is again a common consequence of having a new baby, if you have postnatal depression, this will feel alot worse.

• Do you feel overly anxious about certain things? Most new mothers are anxious to certain extent when they have a new baby. But maybe you feel very panicky,this lasts for a while and you can't seem to shake it off. Do you worry that something really bad is going to happen (even though it isn't)

• You may feel hopeless, and that you can't do anything right, and that you just can't cope with some situations that you find yourself in.

• You may feel that there is no way out, and that no-one can help you. You may even have suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of hurting your children. What you should know is that if you do commit suicide or try to take your own life, your child and the people that you leave behind will be emotionally scarred. It puts them at risk of growing up with mental health problems. You should also know that there is help available and your family would rather you be there with them! You are a great person, and a great mother, and your baby loves you very much.

The causes of postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is more common in people that have suffered depression before. There is also an increased risk of PND if there is a history of depression within your family. It also more common in women that have had a stressful pregnancy. Or if the baby was not planned, and not wanted, or if the baby has been born with any problems.

Treatment of postnatal depression

Get some friends or family members to rally round and help with your baby, and children if you have more. Accept help from people, it doesn't mean you are a bad mother if you let people help.

Sometimes you may need antidepressants. If you are breast feeding, this should be taken into account when your doctor decides on which medication you need. Some drugs can get into breast milk, but there are other types of drugs that are totally safe. So if you breast feed your baby, let your doctor know.

Things that you can do to help your postnatal depression

• You should really speak to a medical professional about how you feel. These people will know how to help you. Don't think that they will want to take your baby or children away, this is not the case at all. Once you have the help you need to overcome your PND, you will be able to enjoy your baby, and all of the fun that you can have together.

• You must try to remember that if you have PND, it is an illness. You are certainly not weak or helpless, and you will get better.

• Adjusting to life with a new baby is very tiring, so try to sleep as often as you get the chance. A new baby is also very stressful (even for the most advanced parent!) So don't take on more than you can handle.

• Even if you don't feel much like eating, do try to keep up with a normal diet. You will need lots of energy with a new baby, especially if you're breast feeding.

• Your partner will be very concerned for you, so talk to him and let him know how you feel. Get him some leaflets or let him talk to your health visitor or doctor with you, so he can really understand about your illness. Let him help you with things, this will take some pressure off you.

• Talk to some other mums and you will find that you may not be the only one feeling like this. Remember, at least one in ten mothers get postnatal depression, so you're most defiantly not alone.

You health visitor will give a the questionnaire to fill in around one to two weeks after the birth of your baby. Do fill it in as honestly as possible. This will help her to evaluate whether you have PND, the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner you can get help and treatment if you need it.

There is a website all about this illness if you want to explore further. Take a look at Meet a mum - postnatal depression support.

Return from postnatal depression to childbirth page.

Back to New baby and beyond homepage.