Women are more likely to suffer from mental health problems following the birth of a child than at any other time in their life and it’s estimated that up to 20% of women suffer from postnatal distress (PND).

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1. PND can occur soon after the birth or slowly over time, up to two years after the birth of any child.

2. If you develop PND there is a 50% chance you will be affected in subsequent pregnancies.

3. There are many things that can cause PND including hormonal changes, expecting too much of yourself, lack of sleep and/or lack of support.

4. A woman with PND may lose interest in previously enjoyed activities, have negative and/or obsessive thoughts, be extremely tired but unable to fall asleep and in extreme instances may have thoughts of harming her baby or herself.

5. There is no one-size-fits-all solution and often a combination of treatment options is recommended.

6. Getting help with chores such as housework, groceries, washing and childcare can help.

7. Learning to say no to others can also help.

8. Make sure you get lots of rest.

9. Get outside for a walk every day.

10. If you suspect you’re suffering from PND, the most important thing you can do is ask for help as soon as possible. It can be difficult to do this but the sooner treatment begins, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy your baby and being a mother.

For more information and additional support please check out PADA  https://pada.nz/

Although these two first videos are aimed at health professionals working with women affected by post-natal depression, those affected by PND may well also find the information in them helpful.  The PADA website they are located on have lots of resources for parents.

If your looking for someone to talk to there are many different free 24/7 support lines you can call:

Hear about Sarah’s journey through PND to the other side: