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:

1. 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.
2. Your baby will not be taken away from you if you open up about how you are feeling - that's a myth.
3. 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.
4. 1 in 10 fathers are officially affected by postnatal depression - there are likely to be many more who don't talk about it.
5. 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.
6. Many women Liz has seen have had an unresolved issue or trauma from the past.
7. Members of the LGBTQ+ community can have increased susceptibility, due to the lack of support around them.
8. PND shares many symptoms with generalised depression and is defined as "a depressive episode after childbirth".
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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'.
18. According to Liz, the recovery rate from PND is happily 100%.

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Email: bluemumdays@gmail.com

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

Best Beginnings

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.

Bi-Polar UK

email: info@bipolaruk.org

Birth Trauma Association

Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

CALM

Contact CALM

on their national helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)

Cedar House Support Group

Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise)

Mobile: 07773 283556

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