Support For Postnatal Distress
Postnatal depression is a treatable illness that causes
prolonged lowness, sad or angry emotion, tiredness, loss of
enjoyment of life after the birth of a child.
If you think you may be suffering from postnatal distress or
postnatal depression, please talk to your doctor or other health
professional about your symptoms, and they will be able to offer
you some help.
Or, the Post Natal Distress Support Network Trust based in
Henderson, Auckland offers free support groups, drop in support and
telephone support (without needing a referral from your doctor or
another health professional).
Call them on 09 836 6967 or go to their website www.postnataldistress.org.nz for more
information.
What is postnatal depression?
- Can occur soon after the birth or slowly over time, up to two
years after the birth of any child.
- Happens to any women of any culture and any age.
- Can occur not only after a first child. It can occur after the
birth of the third or the fifth child. It can occur after the first
child only. It can occur after the third child but not the first
two. Postnatal distress or depression can occur after the birth of
each child.
If you do develop postnatal depression there is a 50% chance
that you will be affected in subsequent pregnancies.
The most common symptoms of postnatal depression are:
- Extremes of emotions sad, tearful, angry, guilty, anxious; or
lack of emotions, unable to feel anything, unable to feel
happy
- I don't enjoy anything anymore
- I am always tired, have no energy
- I feel like I am failing, I blame myself for everything,
everyone else copes with/manages life better than I do
- I can't bond with my child
- I need constant reassurance
- I feel resentful at the loss of contact/time with my
partner
- My appetite has changed (decreased/increased)
- My sleep patterns have changed
- I don't like to be alone OR I don't like to be with others
- My memory has decreased, I have loss of concentration
- I have a lack of confidence, low self esteem
- Thoughts of self harm or harming my baby
Of the 6846 babies in the study, 184 are twins or triplets.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
There was a huge range of birth weights, ranging from about 600 grams to nearly 6000 grams.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
The first solid food most frequently give to the babies was baby rice, followed soon after by fruit and vegetables.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
One third of the study babies are expected to identify with more than one ethnicity.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
At six weeks, the longest time slept by the Growing Up babies varied from just half an hour to over 12 hours.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
At nine months, just over half the babies were crawling at least five metres.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
At nine months, a third of the Growing Up babies were shaking their heads to say ‘no’.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand
A thousand mothers reported that they were speaking some te reo Maori to their babies at nine months.
Source: Growing Up in New Zealand