What is postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression (PND) is a depressive illness that occurs after having a baby where a woman experiences a period of 'low' mood swings.
This can range in severity from mild ('baby blues'), through to severe PND (postnatal psychosis).

How common is PND?
PND is common, it occurs in 10 to 15 per cent or one in seven mothers.

When does PND occur?
PND usually develops within the first month following childbirth. It may develop out of severe 'baby blues'. Episodes of depression may be more common in mothers for many months after having a baby.

What are the symptoms of PND?

• Feeling 'low', 'miserable' and tearful for no apparent reason. These feelings persist for most of the time, though they may be worse at certain times of day, particularly the morning.
• Being unable to enjoy yourself. This may be particularly prominent in new mothers who feel that they are not enjoying having a new baby in the way they are expected to.
• Irritability is common. This may be with other children, the new baby and particularly with the partner.
• Sleep disturbance is part of looking after a new baby. However in PND there may be additional problems of finding it hard to go to sleep even though you are tired, or waking early in the morning.
• Given that looking after a young baby means having less sleep than usual, it is no surprise that mothers often feel they have no energy. This can be even worse in mothers with PND.
• Appetite is sometimes affected, with mothers not being interested in food. This can be a particular problem since new mothers need all the energy they can get to look after their babies.
• Feelings of anxiety for a new baby can feel overwhelming to the extent some mothers may experience 'panic attacks', where they feel as if something bad is about to happen.
• Depression is often common, however, mothers with PND feel they are 'not able to cope' and unable to see a way through their difficulties.
• When people are depressed, they sometimes feel that there's no way out of their problems and that they, and their family, would be better off dead. Thoughts of suicide are therefore not uncommon. If you feel this way, it's important that you talk to somebody about how you feel, since there are ways out of your difficulties other than suicide.

What to do if you have PND

• Don't 'bottle things up'. Talk to somebody about how you feel. Remember that depression is an illness, and you are not suffering from it because you are weak or hopeless.
• Also remember that it's very common and that it will get better.
• Speak to your health visitor or GP. They will be able to sort out what should be the best way of helping you.
• Having a baby is tiring and stressful for any mother. You will not be able to manage all the things that you did before the birth. Reduce your commitments and accept help when it is offered.
• Take any opportunity you can to get some sleep.
• Make sure that you try to keep up your normal diet – you will need all the energy you can get so make sure you are eating healthy and nutritious meals.
• Involve your partner. Having a young baby will be difficult for him too and it’s good for you to involve him as much as possible from the beginning.
• Try to get some time to yourself and with your partner if you can.
• Talk to other mums with new babies. You will find that they also feel many of the same things you do.