Post Natal Depression

[cupotee2]

I have a feeling a close family member is suffering PND.....

She doesn't think she is, but apart from tears there are irrational thoughts going on in her head. Not against the children that she adores but her husband who is doing all he can to make Mums life easier.

Anyone on here know anything about the problem or how to go about getting help.

The latest birth was very traumatic as was the first.

I am very concerned and would love to be able to offer some positive answers to help the family...

[pixie373]

It's possible. The GP is the first person she should see. It can be helped. I hope she is ok xx

[Mamyalynne]

Difficult if she won't acknowledge there is a problem , try gently asking if she would let you accompany her to the GP if only to placate you, as you care so much for her.

[pixie373]

I wonder whether her husband should step back a bit, too. She may need more space- or at least it will allow her to see how well she is managing.

[ladyalex]

If she does not think that she has a problem , then it is quite tricky to get anything done.
Is her Health Visitor calling regularly? Might be a thought for husband to give the HV a call to put them in the picture so they can drop round more frequently and ask appropriate questions when they do.
Or husband can go to the GP himself to express concern , then the GP can pay a 'courtesy visit ' to the new Mum and babe and take things from there.
In terms of helping directly....offers to help,out in the house or with the children might help, but in truth if she does have PND then she almost certainly needs medication to get over it.
Like all deprssive illness it will eventually go whether it is treated or not, but it can take a heck of a long time to go if it is untreated.

[pixie373]

Certainly in this area, health visitors don't call round any more.

[ladyalex]

I'm probably way out of date as regards Health Visitors....but there doesn't seem to be any point to them if they don't visit .

[cupotee2]

Thank you for the replies.

I've spoken to the husband now who is going to contact his wife's Mother who the new Mum adores and respects 110%

Next one of them will contact the HV and GP.

Such a worry after the joy, to us, but trauma to her of the eventual safe arrival of baby number 2..

Thank you again.

[pixie373]

No... Not convinced there was anyway. All my friends that have had babies recently have had to take them in.

[ladyalex]

There is a point to them when there's a problem, Pixie. When everything is going relatively straightforwardly, then much less so.

I am sure you are doing the righ thing, cupotee.
HV and GP will help, I'm sure.

[DaisyNonna]

Have a young friend (whom I see rarely as she lives up north, many miles away) who had an emergency Caesarian and a 6 week early baby boy. She was discharged from hospital, travelling many miles each day to be with her son and take in expressed milk. Baby eventually brought home still very tiny and vulnerable. No family near, husband working long hours. Nobody recognised her PND. Only fleeting visit from HV. Baby clinic only concerned about baby, not mother.

[cupotee2]

Thanks for further replies.

Both the babies were born by emergency C-Section. First 7 weeks early and very tiny. Doing wonderful now but baby 2 although full term was again emergency C-Section 13 months after the first...Mummy's system is in meltdown poor dear...

She will get all the love and care it takes but this stage is pretty hard knowing how she is feeling.

[ladyalex]

How old is baby 2 now?
Does Mum have enough help?

[cupotee2]

Baby 2 is 3 half weeks.

Yes, she has had full time help every day and will continue to do so. x

[ladyalex]

Glad to hear that she has help.
With two so close together and a C section she will need it.

Hope you can get her to her GP soon.