|
|
Home: Community full menu: Social care and health: Protecting children
Post-Natal Depression
Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board - August 2008
gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk
What is Post-Natal Depression?
It's estimated that 1 out of every 10 new mothers will have post-natal depression.
Sometimes new mothers worry because they feel down and depressed, they expect to feel happy and excited because they
have had a new baby. These feelings can be known as 'Baby blues'.
Baby blues are common and usually go away after a few days. However sometimes the baby blues carry on and get worse. For
example, mothers may cry for no clear reason, become emotional and sad, lose interest in doing anything, lose their
appetite for food or have problems sleeping. Other symptoms or signs might include anxiety (feeling worried all the time,
and panic attacks, feeling unable to cope, low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Often mothers feel they do not love or
even like the baby because of these feelings of depression. There is often no interest in sex.
If any of these feelings get worse or last more than a couple of weeks the new mother may be suffering from post-natal
depression.
It is important that new mothers and their husbands and/or partners get help to know these symptoms, as early as possible
and to understand that it's not their fault that they feel that way. Its important because: -
- there is treatment for these feelings and women get better.
- being depressed takes the fun out of being a mother.
- it's possible the relationship between the mother and the baby is not as good as it could be.
- it can also weaken the relationship between the parents.
There are many theories about why new mothers become depressed. Some say it's because of social and emotional reasons,
for example having a new baby means the mother's whole lifestyle might change. Other people think it's because of
physical or hormonal reasons. Whatever the cause the sooner post-natal depression is treated, the sooner the mother can
become to feel better and the sooner she can begin to enjoy being a new mother.
Kinds of help available
- Husbands and Partners can be a great help in giving emotional and practical support and organising some time-out
for the mother.
- Support of family and friends is important in the woman's recovery. Talking about feelings with other women in support
groups can also be helpful.
- Trained Health Visitors and Midwives can support and help women who are having post-natal depression. They can
offer a listening ear and sometimes that is all that is needed to help women feel better.
- Sometimes medical help is needed to lift the mood and sometimes the Health Visitor or Midwife will suggest a visit
to the Doctor. Women can approach their GP directly to discuss their feelings of depression. Sometimes they will
advise that a specialist nurse who deals with depression visit the family to offer support and advice.
Remember that this is a temporary condition and that it will improve with time.
Helpful hints for husbands and partners
- Be patient, the condition is temporary and will pass in time.
- Try to arrange a night out sometimes to give you time together and give her a break from the demands of a young baby.
- Encourage her to talk about her feelings.
- Don't take her feelings or criticisms personally remember she's not feeling so good.
- Ask for the help of other family members, grandparents, aunts and uncles other children to help as much as possible
without taking over everything.
- Show that you love her with cuddles but don't turn every cuddle into sexual intercourse.
- Don't criticise her appearance, as she may already feel low about her post pregnancy body.
- Telephone her from work occasionally to see how she is.
- Sometimes fathers can get feelings of worry or depression too, recognise this and get help for you.
- Make some time for you with the baby and enjoy being a father.
For further details on any of the information highlighted on this web page please contact your local Gateway to Care
direct or complete a Gateway to Care enquiry form. Our staff will be more than happy to help!
|
|
Facebook
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
StumbleUpon
Reddit