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Supporting DW to stop Baby Blues Becoming PND

10 replies

DaddyWrongLegs · 10/01/2011 20:25

Hello Mumsnetters,

This is my first post so be gentle! We had a gorgeous son 3 weeks ago and have been going through all the (normal?) trials and sleeplessness of a newborn. However, my wonderful wife has been very emotional since the birth - a combination of tiredness and hormones according to HV and Midwives but I'm worried it might be / turn in to more.

She's talked of regret and fears about responsibilty, being a good mum etc (all normal, as I understand it) but also cries when people are nice and do or say nice things.

Anyone with any advice on how to best support her emotionally? I've been doing my best over the paternity period to help with DS, tidy house, manage visitors etc but am back to work now in a pretty stressful job so I want to be sure she knows she comes first.

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GetDownYouWillFall · 10/01/2011 21:02

Well first of all you sound like a lovely supportive husband so well done you! Support is one of the key factors that help a woman survive PND and come out the other side so you are already giving her a fighting chance.

Having suffered PND myself, I can say it does creep up gradually, but the early warning signs were definitely there. For me the sleeplessness became engrained and even when my DD started sleeping for longer and longer stretches, I would lie awake for hours, feeling desperate. Also the tearfulness, loss of interest in things, inability to concentrate, out of proportion anxiety, overwhelming feelings of not coping.

3 weeks is still early days, it could still be a bit of baby blues, but if it goes on for another few weeks I think you need to seek help. Keep talking to the HVs and if necessary go and see the GP.

Hopefully she will start feeling better soon. It is a normal reaction to having a baby, to feel pretty emotional, overwhelmed by responsibility etc. It is a huge life adjustment. Hopefully that's all it is. But if she seems to be getting worse, do push for help. You don't want to let it get out of hand.

I left it for too long and ended up being admitted to a mother and baby unit. I'd hate that to happen to your DW.

All the best

DaddyWrongLegs · 11/01/2011 08:00

Thanks GetDown - I'm sorry to hear you had a bad time with PND. Hopefully things won't be too overwhelming for her whilst I'm back in work.

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ToxicKitten · 11/01/2011 08:58

I just wanted to say ditto to how supportive you sound, and hope all goes well.

As to the emotional bit - my DS is 16. Ever since he was born I can cry at the drop of a hat - people being nice, adverts for animal charities, NSPCC ads, TV programmes.... and I used to be very stoic in the face of all that!! So it's possible that is an entirely normal side effect of awakened nurturing instincts!

I think your awareness and willingness to be supportive without being judgemental or having too high expectations will make a huge difference as time goes by. Enjoy this special time together as much as possible!!

(And congratulations!1)

DaddyWrongLegs · 12/01/2011 22:00

Thanks ToxicKitten - it makes sense that your while emotional outlook might change after such a big life change! Hopefully things are looking up now we're settling into more of a routine.

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cg267 · 12/01/2011 22:10

Hi
Again, having and accessing a good support network is one of the best ways to help prevent PND. So keep encouraging your wife to seek support from everyone she can. It is still early days BUT if things continue i suggest that you let her health visitor or GP know. The HV can screen for PND and get her help.

Its completely normal to cry when people are kind, especially when your tired.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things, and i'm sure things will resolve naturally BUT if they don't just ask for some professional help from HV or GP.

Best of luck

JiltedJohnsJulie · 12/01/2011 22:21

DaddyWrong Congratulations on your new DS.

Like Toxic I have become much more emotional since having DC1 so don't think that is necessarily a sign but please have a read of this as it has some good advice and ifnrmation.

There is some really good advice on this thread already. Just wanted to add that I second that a good support network is invaluable. Does your wife to to any groups for new Mums? I know its early days though so she may not be upto going anywhere yet.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 12/01/2011 22:23

Not sure what ifnrmation is though, think I must have meant information. Blush

MotherSnowyMountainGoat · 12/01/2011 22:33

Congratulations!

I think you're doing the best thing by being there for her, letting her know that she's not alone with this new situation, and that the three of you are together in this as a family. Three weeks is still very early days, and lack of sleep makes people react in weird ways (especially with a PFB, when you're suddenly responsible for this little precious being for the first time).

I couldn't have got through our first-born, who was a right old screamer, without the help of my husband, both practical and emotional (I did the night feeds, he did the nappy changes when he was there, we alternated the walking round/singing(sh-sh-ing, but more importantly, he was knackered as well, so understood how hard it was for me).

So you're back at work now - what can you do:

Organize a cleaner, if finances allow (and DW agrees).

Take DS as soon as you get back in the evening (DW will have been with him all day). Give DW a small glass of wine (or a big one, whatever), stick on some good music, and tell her to relax, you'll walk round with DS for a while (or watch out for him if he's sleeping).

While he's this young the two of you can still go out in the evening, and take him with you - Make the most of it. We took DD1 to some strange stuff before she was 6 months old and started needing a regular bedtime - parties, concerts, restaurants etc. Make sure you bond as a family (which you're clearly eager to do).

I remember reacting really badly when DD1 was 4 weeks old, went out in a huff for a few hours (leaving her with DH and friends), came back and DD1 was screaming (again). It looked really bad from the outside, but it was a natural reaction to the extreme circumstances that got better soon afterwards. It was very different when a friend of mine got PND years later; her reaction was much more subtle and difficult to spot, yet it resulted from loneliness in a difficult situation.

Best of luck with it all.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/01/2011 10:11

DWL forgot to say last night, the NCT have a helplines with you both might find useful:

Postnatal Line - 0300 330 0773
9am-1pm, Monday to Friday.

You can call our Postnatal line to speak to one of our postnatal leaders if you have any questions about life with a new baby.

Also, the Association of Post Natal Illness are supposed to be very good. There is a lot of information on their website and they have a helpline too.

DaddyWrongLegs · 16/01/2011 22:19

Wow. Thanks all for your nice posts and great advice I'm trying to make sure that I'm pulling my weight as much as possible by; taking DS asap when home and encouraging DW to do something 'for her' (thanks for the pointer MotherSnowyMountainGoat !), doing a full night of feeds on the weekend, making sure she talks to all and sundry about how she's feeling. I'm also, I hope, going to look for a kittle gift which is low maintenance, cheery-uppy and for her not the baby.

Let's see how that goes!

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