 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
MummyPages EXPERT
|
|
Post natal depression: do I need help?
If you’ve recently had a baby, are feeling weepy, having sleep trouble and experiencing changes to your appetite, and it’s been more than two weeks, then there’s a good chance that you’re experiencing post-natal depression.
Unlike baby blues, which is common in between 50 and 80 percent of new mums, and usually lasts around two weeks from the date of your child’s birth, post natal depression (PND) usually starts later and has more severe symptoms. In fact, it’s a form of clinical depression, and you probably need professional treatment.
One of the key warning signs that your depression is more than mere baby blues is that you can’t sleep when your child sleeps – no matter how tired you are. Irritability, panic attacks, loss of appetite, weepiness and anxiety are also all symptoms of PND.
If you suspect that you have PPD, whether it’s a week or two after your child’s birth, or months later, you should speak to your health care provider. Don’t assume that he or she will take you seriously though – PPD tends to be ignored or undiagnosed in many women. Find out what treatment options your doctor advises, and speak to him or her about diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes that can help to alleviate the symptoms of PND.
Don’t feel bad about your depression or think that you are a bad mother. PND is normal, and fairly common, with around 10 percent of new mums being affected. Left undiagnosed and untreated however, and especially if you are feeling violent or aggressive to your child, it can be very dangerous so if you suspect you may have PND, don’t wait – get help as soon as possible.
User Answers:
Re: Post natal depression: do I need help?
NEW RTE SHOW: BABY BODIES
Zoogon Productions are making a new television show for RTE2 called Mairead Farrell: Honestly Speaking… Baby Bodies, which aims to talk openly about how Irish women really feel about their pregnant and post-baby body – the good and the bad. We are currently still looking for a range of contributors to take part:
- Do you love everything about your pregnant body or post-baby body? Do you embrace all the bodily changes whole-heartedly?
- Have you (or did you) put on more weight than you wanted to during pregnancy? Or have you struggled with obesity before or after pregnancy?
- Are you (or were you) pregnant while still a teenager?
- Are you exercising a lot while pregnant? Or after childbirth to regain your figure?
- Has pregnancy or having a baby dramatically affected your sex life?
- Do you have a fear of pregnancy and childbirth? Or did a traumatic experience lead to a fear of future pregnancy?
- Are you giving birth (hospital or home birth) in the next few weeks and may consider the birth being filmed?
Finally – do you have an interesting story to tell relating to your ‘baby body’ experience that we haven’t mentioned, but you would like to tell us about?
We hope that the documentary will be a vehicle to show mothers out there that they're not the only one experiencing body issues during pregnancy and after, or indeed inform mothers-to-be of what to expect. Please get in touch by emailing amy@zoogon.tv or call to chat on 0044-2890323600 and ask for Amy or Aislinn. All correspondence will be in the strictest confidence.
|
akearns | September 14, 2011 11:52 AM |
|
|
Recently Added Questions |
The information contained on MummyPages is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical professional. If in doubt, always consult your doctor.
