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Postnatal depression (also known as postpartum depression) can happen to anyone.
Almost one in 10 mothers suffer from it. Unfortunately no-one can predict if you’ll be one of them, but there are some factors that make it more likely.
There are a number of causes for postnatal depression, including:
• Hormonal imbalances after the birth
• Reality shock - the overwhelming feeling of responsibility and change
• Fear of being an inadequate mother
• Feelings of guilt if you can’t breastfeed
• Feelings and fear and guilt if there were any complications or birth defects
• Unwanted pregnancy or teenage pregnancy or single motherhood
• Previous episodes of depression and took chronic depression medication before the pregnancy
• A family history of depression
More information on postnatal depression:
"My life with post natal depression"
Postnatal depression symptoms and risk factors
A real-life postnatal depression story
Exposing postnatal depression
8 dangerous signs of PND
Did you suffer from PND? How did you handle it?
