PND and new to Cambridge

[SleepySheep]

I've just moved to Cambridge with my OH and have a two week old little boy. Am off to the Drs tomorrow as feeling so low,anxious and guilty about not enjoying my life with my son. I do love him to pieces but just feel in such adark hole with the light at the end of the tunnel is getting further and further away.

Just wondered if there was anyone out there in a similar position in Cambs?

Hi SleepySheep,

Welcome to Cambridge! You'll love it here.

There's lots to get involved with but without knowing which area of the city you live in I cannot give very specific advice.

First thing - definitely register with the Central Library in town (it's in the Grand Arcade shopping centre). It's free and even if 2 weeks old seems a little early for reading classes(!) it's a lovely place to hang out and get inspiration for stories/songs etc.

There are lots of kiddy/mummy yoga; dance and singing classes around. There's usually notices up at the GP (when you're visiting the doc or midwife have a rumage for their notice board).

Places to recommend: guessing you may live near them: Romsey Mill (on Mill Road) - singing and play groups (and great to meet other new parents and make friends/swap tips) and the singing class at the Quaker Meeting Place - on Mondays in Hartington Grove. Great fun; no pressure/religious stuff and another great place to meet people.

Don't expect you to post your address online - but give an indication of which part of the city you live in and I'll try and dredge up some more tips.

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Me again SS - sorry.

I'm no doctor - but it does sound, from your post, like you may have PND (post natal depression?). Huge assumption on my part but worth talking to your GP/Midwife etc. about - just in case.

It's more common than you think and you can get loads of help.

Many thanks for replying. I live in the Histon/Impington area and have taken your advise and will be going to a coffee morning next Wednesday at the Early Learning Centre.

I do think half my problem is I just need to find people to talk to! Having a baby is obviously a huge change, but so is also not being at work!

Hello,
Am sure there are loads of new mums in your area. There is a pregnancy/baby shop in Histon isn't there? You could go in there and ask of stuff to do in the local area? The NCT cambridge does coffee afternoons in peoples houses, and I bet there is a histon group, look it up.
I would definitely try and get out of the house as much as possible and not feel guilty about not enjoying yourself, but try enjoy yourself if you see what I mean! I.e. concentrate on your sanity as much as possible by getting out and meeting people.

I went to the NCT coffee morning in town on a Friday morning. There are almost always new mums there with tiny babies so you would have some company.

Also I would highly recommend not being shy and asking people you meet for phone number or e-mail, baby groups are great in moderation but you can't beat going round someone's house for a coffee or meeting in town or doing something different with someone who you know already rather than turning up at a group wondering who is going to be there.

Can't comment on the PND but definitely talk to your doctor. It could be you just need to get out a bit, but if it is PND then they can definitely help you.