Maddison Harmer has a simple message for women suffering postnatal depression: You are not a failure.
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The Wagga mum of two suffered both antenatal and postnatal depression while pregnant with her second child, son Lewie.
“We had a lot of big things going on in our lives, and (daughter) Charlie was only nine months old when I found out I was pregnant with Lewie,” Mrs Harmer said.
“I found out at five weeks gestation that I was having him and by nine weeks, I was depressed.”
Mrs Harmer said she suffered antenatal depression throughout her pregnancy and her initial attempts to get help resulted in a misdiagnosis.
After Lewie’s birth, postnatal depression affected Mrs Harmer.
“It was a terrible time. I couldn’t even pick Lewie up,” she said.
Mrs Harmer sought treatment at a Sydney hospital and, by the time Lewie was three months old, she was recovering.
Lewie is now almost three and Charlie is four, and the family is doing well.
Mrs Harmer now encourages other women – or men – who are struggling with antenatal or postnatal depression not to be afraid to seek help.
“Don’t be ashamed of feeling this way, and don’t feel like you are a failure,” she said.
Keryl de Haan, from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, said up to one in 10 expecting mums and one in 20 expecting dads struggle with antenatal depression.
In addition, more than one in seven new mums and up to one in 10 new dads are diagnosed with postnatal depression. Even more are thought to suffer with anxiety.
Ms de Haan said heightened anxiety is also common after the birth of a baby and can occur alone or with depression. Fathers and partners can also experience mental health problems around this time.
“Women with depression may describe feeling sad, down, numb and empty, lacking interest in their baby, other people or things they used to enjoy. Anxiety symptoms can include feelings of worry, panic, or fears that are difficult to control,” she said.
“A first step to getting help is talking to your local GP or other health professional – midwife or child and family health nurse. If symptoms are more severe and involve thoughts of self-harm or harm to the baby, then immediate help is required at Access Line on 1800 800 944.”
There are also a number of recommended online services which can help provide emotional support for new mums and dads. Information about these can be found at Mumspace and www.panda.org.au.
People concerned about perinatal mental health can learn more by visiting www.panda.org.au or Beyond Blue’s Healthy Families.