It is normal for mothers to experience low mood after the birth of a baby. People refer to this as ‘baby blues’. Postnatal depression is different and lasts longer. Up to 10% of women suffer from depression during pregnancy (PADA) and up to 14% of mothers experience depression during the first year after the birth (postnatal depression) (Health Promotion Agency, 2016). About 10% of men experience depression after a child is born (PADA, 2017). Women who are depressed experience changes in their thinking, emotions and behavior:
Women who are depressed experience changes in their thinking, emotions and behavior:
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- Feeling worthless, hopeless, useless
- Change in eating and sleeping patterns
- Blaming oneself when things go wrong, even if it’s not one’s fault
- Feeling anxious, fearful or overwhelmed
- Having thoughts of suicide that may include hurting the baby
- Not feeling close to your baby and other family members (Depression.org.nz)
- Anger, irritability, hostility
- Guilt and shame