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Postnatal depression
Deborah Sue, Advisory Service Manager

Did you know that up to 16% or, one in six new mums develop postnatal depression. It’s hardly surprising given the stress, lack of sleep and physical changes new mums have to cope with. The good news is, in most cases in New Zealand it’s easily dealt with. But you might not recognise the signs, so if you think you might be struggling with postnatal depression, or you’re just not feeling yourself, it is essential that you talk to your health care professional.
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Signs of postnatal depression

Generally, postnatal depression (also known as postpartum depression) happens in the first six weeks after birth, but it can also appear at any time until your baby reaches toddler age. You’re more likely to experience it if you or your family have a history of depression.

 

Postnatal depression affects people differently but there are some symptoms you can keep an eye out for, such as:

 

  • Having panic or anxiety attacks
  • Constantly worrying about your health and safety and those close to you
  • Feeling you’re a bad mother or person
  • Constantly experiencing feelings of doom
  • Regularly feeling tearful for no real reason
  • Wanting to sleep all the time and never feeling rested
  • Finding it hard to sleep
  • Feeling like you have to put on a ‘brave face’ around other people
  • Being unable to talk about the birth or constantly talking about it because you felt so out of control
  • Feeling that life is not worth living since your baby was born
  • Feeling worthless
  • Thinking you haven’t bonded with your baby or have no feelings towards them
  • Feeling ill; suffering chest pains, breathing problems, headaches, dizziness, many minor illnesses and stomach upsets
  • Losing track of time and not being able to tell the difference between a few minutes and a few hours


What to do if you think you have postnatal depression

    If you do feel you may have postnatal depression it is very important that you talk to your health care professional - they’ll be best placed to help you. Until you can see your health care professional there are things you can do to help lessen the symptoms:

     

    • Don’t bottle up your feelings. Talk to your partner, a close friend, relative or other mums about what you are going through
    • Don’t try to do too much in a day
    • Accept help from those around you
    • Take time to rest
    • Don’t feel guilty about what you’re going through
    • Eat well and get some exercise


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