Post natal depression

[Nc1468]

Hi,
Just looking for someone to tell me this is gonna get better 😩 my LO is 12 weeks old and I just feel awful.

Anyone here been through this and come out the other side? Or still where I am? Think I just want to feel less alone.

[NewMum293]

Didn’t want to read and run. It will get better! The first few months are horrible and hard and relentless, but your baby will gradually get into a routine, will become more independent, will give you a bit more back in terms of smiles and laughter, and this patch will seem like a distant memory. My daughter is 8 months and things are so, so much better than they were in the early days.

Is there anything particular you’re finding hard eg sleep deprivation? Do you have a partner or support network? Would you consider speaking to your GP about how you’re feeling?

Hugs to you - you’re doing a fab job, you can do this. Xx

[Nc1468]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I don't know what I'm expecting from this I think I just need to feel like I'm not alone.

That's just it, he's such a good baby most of the time, obviously he's a baby so cries etc but sleeps well at night.

Thing is I don't sleep at night because I'm so worried about him. I've seen the GP and have medication for it but they do take a while to kick in.

My husband is supportive but it's hard when he's at work all day 5 days a week, I just find it hard to see past this ATM.

[marmitemayonnaise]

Sending sympathy and happy to chat if helpful. I had PND with my first, largely because they cried constantly and were a really difficult baby and I felt so overwhelmed.
I don't think anyone can understand those feelings without having been through it. I certainly never understood how having a baby could anything other than lovely until I had one and it knocked me sideways.

[LAOLAHLAO]

I have postnatal depression and anxiety, so I empathise. My LO is about 13 months and I am taking medication for it, which along with time, had helped, although I'm not completely over it yet. I worried that I'd never stop feeling so bad. It can feel so hard and lonely in the early stages. It can take time but it does improve. Sounds like you did the right thing speaking to your GP etc.

You're not alone. It is something that affects so many of us. I find the loneliness and feeling of isolation the worst feeling (this is a third, late baby for me and the first time I've felt this bad). I find ttying to get out each day or most days, even for a little while helps. I've even managed to go to the odd baby group and just having the chance to have some adult company helps.

[Ricekrispie22]

Have a look at the PANDAS foundation website www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/

[Rudolphsjinglebells]

I have PND.

I have a really good baby, sleeping through the night at 3 months old etc. Absolutely love him to pieces but I would wake up every day thinking 'I can't believe I have to go through another day'.

I spoke to the gp and started meds, I noticed my mood lifted after a few weeks and i started sleeping better.

I developed anxiety with the pnd and have started therapy for this.

I'm so much better now than I was before. Not back to normal and don't know how long that will take, but making huge progress. It does get better.

[Nc1468]

@Rudolphsjinglebells I could have written that exact comment. My LO sleeps through most nights now at 12 weeks, but as soon as DH goes to work I just think god I'm on my own all day now and it really gets me down.

I'm glad to hear you're getting better and I hope I can get there too

[ET0006]

Well done for speaking to your GP, that’s such a hard step to take. I had PND with my first baby (now 2 years old), infound being a first time mum completely overwhelming, I live away from my family and friends so i felt so lonely and my daughter has silent reflux so I hated going out with her as she cried all the time. Give the medication time to kick in, it will help take the edge off your depression. The other thing I would recommend is getting out and having social interaction. If you can manage it try and go to a baby club or play group so that you can mix with other mums and it gives your day a bit of structure. If not a class then how about a walk to a coffee shop so you are at least around people. Having a baby is really really hard and for mums there is no break from the baby. Things will definitely get better and you will become much better at handling sleep deprivation and the challenges of a baby. Could you speak to a health visitor to find out if there are any support groups locally? Always happy to chat if you need support, I know what you’re going through. Xx

[Winter2019]

Hugs OP! It will get better.
I felt so down with my first, wasn't what I expected. Soon to have second and am worried how I'll feel. Good job for going to your GP!

[xtinak]

When my DD was 12 weeks I was deep in a pit of utter despair, never knowing how I'd get through another day or night. You are not alone. Also, it definitely gets better. I'm still getting mental health support but definitely not feeling fractionally as grim as that time. I'm sure with support things will get better for you, perhaps even quite soon! Personally I really blame the isolation that comes with a new baby and being at home alone for a lot of the misery. In that empty space my worries definitely grew arms and legs and wings.