OT post natal depression

mrsmortenharket

You are a lovely friend for being so caring. I wish I;d had someone like you x

I have suffered horrendously.

She does need to see her gp. They will help her. Would she let you come with her to the GP so she has your support.

Being a parent, spesh a new parent, is the hardest job in the world.

Lisa x

angelite_2

I know as someone previously said, that there is still a stigma in society to admitting to being depressed, but unfortunately leaving PND can take it even longer to go away. But we only need to read leaflets, watch adverts on TV to see how mental illness can affect a high proportion of us at one point in our lives. I know this may not help the mum in question yet, but eventually it may help her to realise that she is not alone in feeling this way. Around 10% of mums get PND.

You're being such a good friend to help in this way. I think what others have said already is great. Do they have any family support? Such as MIL, sisters etc. Who could maybe watch the baby for a wee while so that the mum can have a sleep some afternoons. Or somebody who has recently had a baby who may invite her to go to a mother and baby group with them or baby massage (perhaps she met some women at the antenatal group?). I know in our area there are baby massage groups and these are great for helping with bonding as the mum has to touch the baby, and it makes her notice the babies responses such as smiling, cooing etc. all helping with the bonding process.

I had such a terrible time, when I had my son, such as the birth went haywire, my partner left and I was really lucky not to get PND. Looking back I think a lot of it was due to my health visitor coming to see me weekly for the first 6 weeks and knowing I could phone her, the support I got from my family such as watching the baby if I wanted to have a bath etc.( you mums know what I mean). Making meals for me etc. Hope this helps x

Bunnyinthelights

I too suffered from PND and one of the things I found HARDEST to accept was help because I felt it meant I was unable to cope and therefore a 'bad' Mum. The one thing I really found worsened it was lack of sleep (so take baby for a walk for her and let her SLEEP! Make her!) and my failure to breast feed-I found the whole experience dreadful-I wanted too but the pain and frustration on my part and babies made me give up (and feel guilty about til the day I die I'm sure...) and it was only a friend who said 'you know, you don't need to feel like this' that I started to realise maybe it wasn't normal to cry all the time, want to sleep for ever and to hate EVERYONE (except my daughter) I missed the first 6 months of her life and it makes me so sad.
Luckily, I never had any problems with my second (except for the lingering guilt and feelings that I love my son more, sigh)
It is a disease, not a failure on her part.
Bunny