Is this PND?

[Waedigirl]

Friend had a little girl last week. Have only texted as they live abroad but she's normally very even keel and organised. Says she is an emotional wreck - can't control herself crying, is 24/7 sick with worry about everything, worried if it's normal. Also felt like she'd become a different person from about a week before the birth

Is this the start of PND or usual? I had a day of crying after ds and it was def hard -but otherwise OK - but I guess normal baby blues can be different? I can't go to her otherwise would be there like a shot. What should I say......am worried about her

A week in is early days. Her hormones are settling down and it could very likely be baby blues. Extreme anxiety and worry about everything is also very common in first time mothers, and isnt necessarily a sign of clinical depression, although she should still get some support and talk to her family, friends and doctor about it.

I had PND with my first child. I'd say it's when the inability to deal emotionally with every day life lasts longer than a few weeks that you really need to worry. But she should definitely talk to her GP or HV about it. It's incredibly common, and early intervention can be extremely beneficial. Bottling it up and letting it go unchecked causes the real damage.

Encourage her to be open and to ask for help. Birth and motherhood can be a huge shock to the system, and it is perfectly normal to struggle with it at first and need some help.

first 3 or 4 weeks very early days. my ds is 5 weeks and i cried most days for first 2, fine now

think baby blues need last beyond 4 weeks before any need to worry.