Postnatal depression

[linz90]

Hi,

So I'm 7 weeks postpartum and I think I have postnatal depression. I haven't had my 6 week check, it's booked in for 2 weeks time. I've tried to get in to see my DR but they haven't got any appointments.
5/7 days I'm an emotional wreck, my partner is extremely supportive but when he's at work and my daughter (age 10) is at school I'm alone with baby. I have been reading up, I don't feel distant to the baby. I adore him. I would never harm him, I never have thoughts to harm anyone.
I've tried parenting groups but most of them have children aged 1+, they all tend to stick together. My friends don't bother, I'm very lucky that I have a close family.
I just feel so lost, I don't know where to turn to.

Hi OP, congratulations on your lovely baby

I had PND after DC3 and I never felt distant from him or had thoughts of harming him. I loved him fiercely from day one. I did have a lot of intrusive thoughts about him being harmed by external things though.

I think PND can manifest itself in lots of different ways. I waited too long (8 months) to get help and I really regret struggling for so long, as once I got help I became ok quite quickly.

Good luck

@linz90

Ive got one dd nearly 3 and I suffered really badly and was too ashamed to say anything to anyone. I hid it well but when I was on my own I was in total bits and it was awful and lasted about a year then flared up again when I went to back work and since then I've found myself in a couple of stressful situations like my current one - pregnant and made redundant and can feel all the symptoms returning. I used to be quite strong but now I've had that its weakened me in dealing with stuff if that makes sense, so I totally understand how you're feeling.

My biggest regret was not telling anyone professional (like HV or GP) - my mum sort of told me to "pull myself together" and I was too ashamed to tell other Mummy friends looking radiant, loosing all baby weight, in lovely clothes with everything under control (at least that's how it seemed!)

I'm sure if I'd said something immediately but it's as the saying goes, the longer you leave something.....

Please ring the HV and just tell them everything - I wish I'd done that and if it happens to me again I definately will be doingxxxx