Post by cheshire on Sept 22, 2008 9:45:41 GMT
''Self-help
We don't yet know enough about PND to prevent it in the first place, but certain principles make sense:
During pregnancy:
DON'T try to be 'superwoman'. Try to do less and make sure that you don't get over-tired. If you are working, make sure you get regular meals and put your feet up in the lunch hour.
DON'T move house (if you can help it!) while you are pregnant or until the baby is six months old.
DO make friends with other women or couples who are expecting or have just had a baby; among other things, this could lead to baby-sitting arrangements.
DO find someone you can talk to. If you don't have a close friend you can turn to, the National Childbirth Trust or MAMA - their local groups are very supportive both before and after childbirth (see page 17).
DO go to antenatal classes - and take your partner with you.
DO keep in touch with your GP and your health visitor if you have suffered PND before. Any signs of PND can be recognised early.
After the baby has arrived:
DO tell someone about how you feel. Many other women have gone through the same experience. If you don't feel you can talk to your family or friends, talk to your health visitor or GP. They will know that these feelings are common and will be able to help.
DO take every opportunity to get your head down. See if you can cat-nap. Your partner can give the baby a bottle-feed at night. If you like, you can use your own expressed breast milk for this.
DO eat well. Healthy foods like salads, fresh vegetables, fruit, fruit juices, milk and cereals are all nice, packed with vitamins and don't need much cooking.
DO find time to have fun with your partner. Try to find a baby-sitter and get out together for a meal, a show or to see friends.
DO let yourself and your partner be intimate if you can: at least kiss and cuddle, stroke and fondle. This will comfort you both and lead to the return of full sexual feelings sooner. Don't feel guilty if this takes some time.
DON'T blame yourself or your partner: life is tough at this time, and tiredness and irritability on both sides can lead to quarrels. 'Having a go' at each other will weaken your relationship when it needs to be at its strongest.
Don't be frightened by the diagnosis. You know what is wrong, that many others have had the same experience and that you will get better in time. Your partner, friends or family can be more helpful and understanding if they know what the problem is. ''
Ideas from www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/postnatalmentalhealth/postnataldepression.aspx
We don't yet know enough about PND to prevent it in the first place, but certain principles make sense:
During pregnancy:
DON'T try to be 'superwoman'. Try to do less and make sure that you don't get over-tired. If you are working, make sure you get regular meals and put your feet up in the lunch hour.
DON'T move house (if you can help it!) while you are pregnant or until the baby is six months old.
DO make friends with other women or couples who are expecting or have just had a baby; among other things, this could lead to baby-sitting arrangements.
DO find someone you can talk to. If you don't have a close friend you can turn to, the National Childbirth Trust or MAMA - their local groups are very supportive both before and after childbirth (see page 17).
DO go to antenatal classes - and take your partner with you.
DO keep in touch with your GP and your health visitor if you have suffered PND before. Any signs of PND can be recognised early.
After the baby has arrived:
DO tell someone about how you feel. Many other women have gone through the same experience. If you don't feel you can talk to your family or friends, talk to your health visitor or GP. They will know that these feelings are common and will be able to help.
DO take every opportunity to get your head down. See if you can cat-nap. Your partner can give the baby a bottle-feed at night. If you like, you can use your own expressed breast milk for this.
DO eat well. Healthy foods like salads, fresh vegetables, fruit, fruit juices, milk and cereals are all nice, packed with vitamins and don't need much cooking.
DO find time to have fun with your partner. Try to find a baby-sitter and get out together for a meal, a show or to see friends.
DO let yourself and your partner be intimate if you can: at least kiss and cuddle, stroke and fondle. This will comfort you both and lead to the return of full sexual feelings sooner. Don't feel guilty if this takes some time.
DON'T blame yourself or your partner: life is tough at this time, and tiredness and irritability on both sides can lead to quarrels. 'Having a go' at each other will weaken your relationship when it needs to be at its strongest.
Don't be frightened by the diagnosis. You know what is wrong, that many others have had the same experience and that you will get better in time. Your partner, friends or family can be more helpful and understanding if they know what the problem is. ''
Ideas from www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/postnatalmentalhealth/postnataldepression.aspx
