ANTENATAL &
POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Practical Advice and Support
for all Sufferers
by Siobhan Curham
Introduction
In this day and age of celebrity pregnancies, involving nude photo shoots and designer maternity wear, expecting a baby has never been so glamorous and exciting. At least that's what the world's media would have us believe. Yet beneath all of the see-through maternity smocks and the Gucci baby slings the truth is that as many as 20 per cent of all mothers experience depression either before or immediately after the birth of their child
When I discovered I was pregnant I was overjoyed, but by the time my baby was born I had turned into a nervous wreck. My relationship was at breaking point, I was unable to work and my confidence was at an all-time low. I was one of the 10 per cent of women who experience antenatal depression. I didn't realise this at the time - I didn't even know such a condition existed.
It took about three months after the birth of my son for things to return to normal and I remained very confused by what had happened to me. I had no previous history of depression and every time I heard somebody talking about the joys of pregnancy I felt that I had somehow been cheated.
It is now three years since I gave birth and in that time I have learnt a great deal about antenatal and postnatal depression. Recent research has shown that Antenatal depression can affect the foetus, in some cases causing low birth weight and even premature delivery. One third of all cases of Postnatal depression actually begin during the pregnancy and yet there is no support group and very little literature available to sufferers. When I wrote articles for various women's magazines detailing my own experiences I was overwhelmed by the response I received from readers who had had similar problems during or after their own pregnancies. And so I decided to write a book on the subject. Using other women's experiences I have examined the different causes of antenatal and postnatal depression and looked at the links between the two. The book also looks into the effects upon the baby and the partner, offers advice that is both practical and safe and highlights the preventative steps that can be taken.
Above all, in writing this book I wanted to reassure sufferers of antenatal and postnatal depression that they are certainly not alone and should never feel too embarassed or afraid to seek help.
Click here for the link between antenatal
and postnatal depression
Click here for more information about the
book "Antenatal & Postnatal Depression"
Click here to email me with
your questions or comments
