Episode 21
PND: Your Most Asked Questions Answered
Season 2 launches with a Q&A with Liz Wise, specialist PND Counsellor and founder of the Cedar House Support Group.
I put your most asked questions to Liz in this special episode, from "How do I know it's PND?" to "How long will recovery take?"
Demystifying the illness and dispelling the myths, this episode is 'all you wanted to know about PND but were too afraid to ask'.
*TRIGGER WARNING: POSTNATAL DEPRESSION*
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[00:00] BMDs intro
[00:17] Introduction to Liz Wise
[02:25] "How do I know it's PND?"
[03:31] "How does it differ from the Baby Blues?"
[04:10] "Will my baby be taken away from me?"
[05:16] "How common is PND?"
[07:05] "What are the risk factors for developing perinatal illness?"
[11:03] "Is postnatal depression like other forms of depression?"
[11:35] "How many years need to go by before it's no longer PND?"
[15:00] "Is it important to seek help?"
[16:40] "What about antidepressants?"
[20:41] "What support is available?"
[24:09] "What percentage of men suffer from it?"
[25:15] "What are the triggers of PND?"
[28:02] "How does PND affect your bond with your baby?"
[29:40] "Are there any positives to having PND?"
[30:53] "How long does it take to recover from PND?"
[33:20] "What percentage of women make a recovery?"
[33:31] "Is it possible for PND to come back, but only experience it with your first child?"
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The 'Baby Blues' affects about 1 in 2 women and typically occurs between days 3 and 7 following the birth. It's a chemical change when the breastmilk comes in and the symptoms usually subside by day 14. If these feelings get worse or aren't going away, please speak to your GP to get support.
- Your baby will not be taken away from you if you open up about how you are feeling - that's a myth.
- Research shows that around 20% of women (1 in 5) are affected by PND and other perinatal mental health issues, but many more suffer in silence.
- 1 in 10 fathers are officially affected by postnatal depression - there are likely to be many more who don't talk about it.
- Risk factors can include: a previous history of depression, IVF and fertility treatment, women who have lost their mother pre-puberty (or have a distant or dysfunctional relationship with them), births of multiples and the lack of a supportive relationship.
- Many women Liz has seen have had an unresolved issue or trauma from the past.
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community can have increased susceptibility, due to the lack of support around them.
- PND shares many symptoms with generalised depression and is defined as "a depressive episode after childbirth".
- PND is typically a temporary episode that you completely recover from, with the right support. If it's not dealt with, it can continue, so the sooner you seek support the better. It's never too late to seek support for having PND or birth-related trauma from the past.
- Reaching out for help is a strength, not a weakness. There is no shame in it and it's hugely important to get support as early as possible.
- In Liz's 30 years of helping women with PND, she's found antidepressants really helpful with recovery. There are lots of different types of medication you can try - it's a myth they will change your personality, but they should make you feel like your old self again.
- Support options can include counselling, therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, medication, homeopathy, accupuncture and peer support groups, like Cedar House. It can be a great comfort to be amongst others suffering and realise you are not alone.
- The majority of women with PND and postnatal anxiety have 'hooks' over issues like breastfeeding, bonding, lack of sleep, health issues, weaning and many others.
- It's a myth that women with postnatal depression don't love their babies - the majority do not experience attachment issues. For those who do struggle to bond with their baby, those feelings will come through - be reassured that they always come.
- Many people who have experienced PND would not be without the experience - they've found it has had a positive impact in their lives, especially with their children. It has taught them awareness of themselves, their mental health and emotions and has made them attentive to other people's emotions.
- Recovery can't be predicted as everyone is different. However recovery can take time and it isn't linear. There will be lots of ups and downs.
- When women get to about 70% recovery, it's common to follow a long period of feeling good with a dip. This is often related to premenstrual symptoms and doesn't mean you are 'going backwards'.
- According to Liz, the recovery rate from PND is happily 100%.
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NEXT EPISODE:
Next time I'm joined by the wonderful Christine Cunningham of Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario. Despite sailing through motherhood with her first two children, Christine went on to suffer postnatal depression and anxiety with the birth of her third. She also talks about the discovery of her ADHD (a recent diagnosis) and the affect this has on her parenting.
SUPPORT:
If you are struggling right now, please know that it’s okay to talk and reach out for help.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND WILL NOT FEEL THIS WAY FOR EVER.
We hope these support services are helpful (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)
Moderated Forum, click here to find out more.
Email: app@app-network.org
Tel: 020 3322 9900
AIMS for better birthing.
Email: helpline@aims.org.uk
This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible.
Telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663
You will be able to leave a voicemail message which will be sent to all our Helpline Volunteers. Please include your name, phone number and brief details of your enquiry. A Volunteer will try to call you back as soon as possible.
Andy's Man Club
A non-judgemental talking group for men
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/club-information/clubs/
Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk
Association of Postnatal Illness
Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868
Email: info@apni.org
Live chat online facility
Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering
evidence-based information and self-care tools to help parents during pregnancy
and early stages of parenting.
App users also have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides
24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed.
email: info@bipolaruk.org
Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Contact CALM
on their national helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)
Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise)
Mobile: 07773 283556
Contact: for families with disabled children
Support, advice and information for parents with disabled children.
- helpline: 0808 808 3555
- website: https://contact.org.uk/
Offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.
Family Lives
An organisation providing immediate help from volunteer parent support workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- helpline: 0808 800 2222
- website: www.familylives.org.uk
Family Rights Group
Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services.
- helpline: 0808 801 0366
- website: www.frg.org.uk
Fathers Reaching Out
https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/
Run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer, offering support to dads.
A grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK.
Email: fivexmore@gmail.com
Gingerbread
Single parents, equal families. Help and advice on the issues that matter to lone parents.
- helpline: 0808 802 0925
- website: www.gingerbread.org.uk
A directory of mental health support around the UK.
Supporting LGBT+ women & people globally on the path to motherhood or parenthood.
Email: contact@lgbtmummies.com
Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support)
Email: hello@makebirthbetter.org
Peer support available, email info@maternalocd.org to
arrange
Supporting and empowering anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss to advocate for themselves.
Email: info@bigoutreach.org
0300 102 1596
Dedicated to sharing and supporting the black maternal experience through peer support, projects and advocacy.
Offering Trauma, Mindfulness and Meditation sessions for Mothers and Mums to be with an NHS Mental Health Specialist, who’s also a Mother.
motivationalmumsclub@gmail.com
Open conversations around fatherhood, including blogs, peer support and podcasts.
hello@musicfootballfatherhood.com
Helpine: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am –
4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko,
and Bengali.
Email: info@mwnhelpline.co.uk
Online chat: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk
Text: 07415 206 936
Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-In
NHS
Contact your local GP surgery.
Call the NHS on 111
or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helpline
If you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.
Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401
Email support available – info@pandasfoundation.org.uk
Petals offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy
or baby loss.
Web: petalscharity.org/counsellingcontact/
Email: counselling@petalscharity.org
Tel: 0300 688 0068
Tel: 116 123
(this is a free telephone number and will not appear on the phone bill)
Web: www.samaritans.org
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Emotional and practical support for anyone affected by the death of a baby.
0808 164 3332
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained Shout volunteer.
Twinline is Twins Trust’s listening service for parents of twins, triplets and more. All
the calls are answered by volunteers who have multiples themselves.
Twinline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm. 0800 138 0509,
alternatively email asktwinline@twinstrust.org.
Web: twinstrust.org/let-us-help/support/twinline.html
Tommy’s has a team of in-house midwives who offer free support and information for women and their families at any stage of pregnancy and after the birth.
Web: www.tommys.org
Helpline: Tommy’s
helpline has been closed temporarily but their midwives are answering questions
via email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Email: midwife@tommys.org
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