Do I have post natal depression?

[Crossroads123]

Hi , I have a son that’s nearly 5 weeks old and I’m a first time mum.
My partner went back to work after 3 weeks I was lucky to have his support and now my mum off for two weeks so I have extra help,
I can’t stop crying and feeling helpless. I always feel my mum settles him and keeps him happier then I can. I don’t feel I can connect with him like my mum and partner. I love my son so much but I feel he’s better off with my mum? Do I have PND? :(

It's possibly a bit early to tell but it's definitely possible. Do you have a 6 week check with HV/GP? They sometimes do a pnd questionnaire which can help find the right support and resources for you.

It feels awful just now but know that it can get better. Congratulations on the birth of your son.

Thank you for replying to me. Yeah I d got that coming up! Do you think it could just be depression ?
Thank you so much

So sorry you are feeling like this OP. 😞
Definitely raise this with your health visitor. In the meantime before you see the HV, have a look at this questionnaire, and take the results seriously.

psychology-tools.com/test/epds

I completed it when DS1 was a few months old and scored 22. I shrugged it off that I was just desperately tired, and I really regret it. It took more than 7 months to admit I had PND and they were wasted months when I could have been getting help and support for feeling so dreadful.

💐☕️🍰 to you.

I will do thank you! Just feel sad , lonely and no good for my son all the time and it’s suppose to be a time I enjoy :(
I scored 23 thank you for that link really appreciate it 😘
How come it took 7 months? X

I didn't enjoy the first 4 months, we had a very hard baby and I was just surviving each day. I gradually started to enjoy it a lot more from then.
At 11 months I finally decided to start anti-depressants and it has been a great decision for me.

I guess I just want you to know it's not uncommon to feel this way, it won't last forever, and there are things your HV or GP can do to help.

That’s the same with me our baby hasn’t been easy - poor boy has relfux so he doesn’t eat or sleep well and on top of that colic.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that has felt this way makes me feel a bit more normal.
Thank you! 💗 xx

Helen12 so sorry for the delay in replying. It took 7 months because I was completely in denial! I was convinced being so desperately sleep-deprived as a parent was normal (I was quite influenced by Attachment Parenting thinking), that I should just get over my traumatic birth, that I was just being a snowflake and should woman up. Bonkers now I look back on it.

Don't be like me. Tell your HV and GP how you're feeling. Tell everyone around you who you feel comfortable telling, that you're really struggling.

Here are a couple of resources that can help as well.

www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/about-us/

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/

If you're in the South West - www.bluebellcare.org/index.php?page=support-for-you

www.mothersformothers.co.uk/

If you're further afield, have a google for similar organisations as these do seem to be growing.

Sending huge warmth and concerned thoughts to you OP, and to the others who are having a hard time.

Apologies, above comment was directed at Crossroads, but also goes for Helen as well!

Ah hang on, I am getting confused with name changes.... anyway, hopefully it makes sense.