Antenatal and Postnatal Depression
Antenatal (which is now preferred as a term over prenatal) is the period of time during pregnancy, postnatal is the period of time after pregnancy and depression is a mental health condition that can affect the mother/birthing person and the father/partner.
Depression is recognised via a series of symptoms that impact a person’s ability to conduct normal daily activities and last for 2-4 weeks or more.
What are the symptoms?
- Feeling sad, low or down the majority of the time
- Regularly feeling tearful
- A loss of pleasure in doing the things that used to bring enjoyment· Feeling unusually sleepy during the day or an inability to get out of bed
- Intrusive thoughts
- Struggling with concentration
- Becoming unusually indecisive
- Irritability, short tempered and rageful outbursts
- Becoming isolated and avoiding social situations
- Feeling restless, short tempered or agitated
- A loss of self-confidence and feelings of worthlessness
- A sense of overwhelming guilt
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Struggling to bond with your baby
- Struggling with everyday parenting or daily routine tasks
- Over or under eating
Treatment
Early recognition, support and treatment can be a huge benefit to the health and wellbeing of the whole family unit, so it is important to seek professional help/guidance from a GP or midwife as soon as you think that you or someone you know might be affected by any of these symptoms.
More information about depression can be found here: Postnatal depression | Royal College of Psychiatrists (rcpsych.ac.uk)
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“I wasn’t excited about
being pregnant, I dreaded
each day”
PANDAS Service user
If you need urgent help....
If you need urgent help or are worried about a loved one, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or the emergency services on 999.