Being aware and coping with Postnatal Depression

Our Expert Midwife Katie Hilton teams up with the charity Count the Kicks to discuss all the things which mothers may encounter during and after pregnancy.

Katie and Count the Kicks will be running one social media clinic each month. This Month's clinic will focus on Maternal mental health, an increasingly important topic in the modern world, with a specific look at Postnatal Depression. 

Postnatal depression is a type of depression some women experience after having a baby. It can develop within the first six weeks of giving birth, but is often not apparent until around six months. Postnatal depression is more common than many people realise, affecting around one in 10 women after having a baby.

Women from all ethnic groups can be affected. Postnatal depression can sometimes go unnoticed and many women are unaware they have it, even though they don't feel quite right.

The symptoms of postnatal depression are wide-ranging and can include low mood, feeling unable to cope and difficulty sleeping.

Signs and Symptoms 

Mood changes, irritability and episodes of tearfulness are common after giving birth. These symptoms are often known as the "baby blues" and they usually clear up within a few weeks. However, if your symptoms are more persistent, it could be postnatal depression. Some women don’t recognize that they have postnatal depression, or they choose to ignore their symptoms because they’re afraid of being seen as a bad mother.

If you think that a partner, relative or friend has signs of postnatal depression be supportive and encourage them to see a GP. It's very important to understand that postnatal depression is an illness. If you have it, it doesn't mean you don't love or care for your baby.

Screening

Your GP will ask you the following two questions if they suspect you have postnatal depression:

• During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
• During the past month, have you often taken little or no pleasure in doing things that would normally make you happy?

It's possible you have postnatal depression if you answer yes to either question. If you answer yes to both questions, it's likely you have postnatal depression.

If you answer yes to either of the above two questions, your GP may also ask you:

• Is this something you feel you need or want help with?

Treating Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but there are many treatments available. As long as it's recognised and treated, postnatal depression is a temporary condition you can recover from. It's very important to seek treatment if you think you or your partner has postnatal depression. The condition is unlikely to get better by itself and it could impact on the care of the baby.

Treatment options for postnatal depression include:

• Self-help advice
• Talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Anti-depressants

Preventing Postnatal Depression

You should tell your GP if you've had postnatal depression in the past and you're pregnant again, or if you're considering having another baby. A previous history of postnatal depression increases your risk of developing it again. If you keep your GP informed, they'll be aware that postnatal depression could develop after your baby is born. This will prevent a delay in diagnosis and treatment can begin earlier.

In the early stages, postnatal depression can be easy to miss.

The following self-help measures can also be useful in preventing postnatal depression:

• Get as much rest as possible
• Take regular exercise
• Don't go for long periods without food, as low blood sugar levels can make you feel much worse
• Don't drink alcohol because it can make you feel worse
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet

This content was provided by our expert Midwife and Health Visitor, Katie Hilton (Bsc, Msc)