What happens if you have postnatal depression

Dads can also experience depression at this time, especially if their partner is depressed. You can flip- flop from feelings of excitement and elation, to feeling tearful, anxious, confused or just plain down. But some mums feel down for much longer, and those feelings may develop into postnatal depression. Listen to Plunket's podcast about Parental Mental Health. If you want to talk, PlunketLine can help.

Call us any time, day or night, on , or call or text any time to speak with a trained counsellor. Ask your doctor, midwife, Plunket nurse, or Well Child provider for help.

Your doctor will be able talk to you about treatment, which may include taking medicine. They should also know what help is available in your area. You could ask other people to be ready to help you, or let peopl e know what to look for, so you can get help early. Effective treatment is available. The vast majority of women with postnatal depression are treated at home with their baby.

Your family and friends may notice that you have postnatal depression before you do. If they mention this to you, take it seriously and seek help from your GP or public health nurse. Free call Samaritans Read our cookies policy to find out more about cookies and how we use them. Signs and symptoms Postnatal depression Signs and symptoms Causes Screening and treatment Getting help Advice for partners and families Postpartum psychosis.

Signs of postnatal depression Postnatal depression can have a broad range of symptoms. These can vary in how severe they are. Looking after a small baby can be stressful and exhausting. There are things you can do to help you keep well such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone you can talk to and turn to for support.

Going to antenatal classes and making friends with other pregnant women or new parents can also be helpful. If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, talk to a GP or your mental health team if:.

You can also talk to a midwife, who can support you or refer you to specialist mental health services if needed. If you have had a mental health problem while pregnant, your doctor should arrange for you to be seen regularly in the first few weeks after birth. The mental health team, maternity team and GP will work closely with you during your pregnancy and after you have given birth. Postnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists website has more information about postnatal depression. Health professionals might consider admitting pregnant women or birthing mothers to hospital if they feel suicidal or have thoughts of harming themselves or their babies. GPs and hospital staff can give you the help and support you need. Emotional support Getting emotional support from your partner, family and friends is an important way to cope with antenatal and postnatal depression.

A birth class, parent group, playgroup or therapy group can be another source of emotional support. At these groups you can meet other people to share your experiences with.

You can also get support from online resources. For example, MumMoodBooster is a free online program designed to help pregnant women and birthing mothers experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression. Help at home gives you a chance to rest, sleep or do something relaxing. Many people like to help out and will be glad if you ask them to do something specific. Looking after yourself Your emotional wellbeing and your physical health are directly related. You can look after both by:.