Postnatal Depression
You may find that you need extra help and support after the
birth. It helps if you know what to expect - and where to find the
information you need.
Postnatal depression (PND) is quite
common. It affects about 15 per cent of new mothers, but many more
feel tired, low, occasionally distressed, isolated and lonely. It
usually starts about three weeks or so after the birth.
Isolation does seem to be part of postnatal health and
depression. It can be hard to get out and about and to stay in
touch with friends when you have a new baby. Or when you do get
out, everyone seems to be coping better than you are - and you feel
even worse than before.
It could be that guilt and disappointment are part of
depression. Maybe you feel bad because you don't think you love
your baby as much as you feel you should. Or you thought being a
mum would be wonderful - and it just isn't.
Some experts think the cause might be connected with your
changing hormones. These are some of the feelings you might have if
you have postnatal depression:
- You wake up feeling exhausted, every day, even after a long
sleep.
- You find it hard to concentrate on something, or organise
yourself, or other simple tasks.
- You feel you're a failure as a mum.
- You can't feel much, as if experiences are happening to someone
else.
- You find yourself feeling tearful, and sometimes weeping, and
you aren't sure why.
- You lose track of time, and find hours go by and you can't be
sure what you've been doing.
You need help if you have any of these symptoms often enough to
worry you. Everyone feels tired, sad and a bit weepy from time to
time - but if this is the usual thing for you, then you may have postnatal depression.
Who to ask for help:
Your baby health centre is trained to offer support to women
with postnatal health problems, and to advise when further help
from your doctor or elsewhere would be useful. They may be able to
put you in touch with other mums.
Your doctor may prescribe anti-depressants, or refer you to
other forms of help. Friends, your partner and family can also help
and support you. You don't need to hide how bad you feel - you
deserve a lot of support at this time. A counsellor or
psychotherapist (via your doctor) can also help.
Postnatal depression support is available in your community. We
have provided you with a list of postnatal depression support
services.
The important point is that PND is
curable - with the right help.
Your baby needs you to feel okay, too. Long-term, postnatal
depression has been shown to have an effect on babies' development
and learning.
Don't confuse postnatal depression with the 'baby blues' some
women have after the birth for no more than a few days.
About one new mum in every 500 has an especially severe form of
postnatal health illness called puerperal psychosis. This means she
may have hallucinations, or stay awake for days, or be extremely
'high' and energetic. It's always obvious to the people around the
mum that something's not right. This form of illness is not
postnatal depression, and it needs immediate medical help. Some
women need to be in hospital for the right sort of help.
Return of Your Period
If you are not breastfeeding your period usually returns 4-8
weeks after the birth.
If you are fully breastfeeding, that is no supplementary feeds,
it is likely you will not get your period until you have started to
reduce the number of feeds your baby is having. This is not a rule
and some women find their period returns quickly.
Although you may not have had a period, it is still possible to
ovulate and fall pregnant before you start menstruating again, so
you should consider your contraception method if you are not ready
for another baby.
It is not uncommon for a woman's menstrual cycle to change after
childbirth. Many women report heavier bleeding, while others say
there period is lighter and doesn't last as long. Your cycle may be
irregular at first, as ovulation may be erratic. It really is an
individual response.
If you are concerned about the amount of blood you pass while
menstruating, seek advice from your doctor.