The first time I came
across post-natal depression was when my
daughter had just given birth to her first
child. She was elated with her baby but
about a week later she had crying fits that
came for no apparent reason. At first we put
them down to baby blues. But then came
irrational thoughts and feelings. She
believed her husband didn’t love her
anymore. Feeling ugly, she was sure her
husband was having an affair. She believed
her mother-in-law didn’t like her and was
trying to overtake her baby. None of which
was true.
One night when the
baby was about 5 weeks old, we were called
to her home by her frantic husband- she had
packed all hers and the baby’s clothes in
the car and was demanding the car keys. We
raced to her home and were met by a daughter
we had never seen before. Red-faced, unkempt
and crying loudly. Fortunately her husband
had the foresight to hide the car keys as
she was in no fit state to drive anywhere.
She tried to take the baby out of her crib
to take her away, but we stood in front of
her so she could not get her. I tried to
reason with her but she just kept screaming
that she had had enough- her husband didn’t
love her or the baby- she was fat and he was
certainly seeing someone else. It was
heart-breaking to see him in tears too
pleading with her to calm down and declaring
his love for her.
Eventually she ran out
of voice and strength and collapsed in my
arms quite spent. I stroked her hair and her
husband came and took her in his arms and
comforted her. He was able at last to reason
with her and she agreed to see a doctor the
next day. We took the car keys with us at
his request. Satisfied that the immediate
danger was over, we returned home. The next
day, my daughter and her husband went to see
a doctor who diagnosed post-natal
depression. For about 2 months my daughter
took anti-depressants and became the loving
calm girl we had always known. It was
frightening to see what hormones can
sometimes do to a woman.
We were a little
apprehensive when she gave birth to her
second child. In fact the post-natal
depression manifested itself in
panic-attacks the first few hours after she
gave birth. I notified the midwives about my
daughter’s agitation and previous
depressions and they sent a doctor to see
her. She was put onto medication immediately
and was much more relaxed and happy with
motherhood. The medications were only needed
for about 2 months. I was so glad that I had
noticed the signs sooner this time.
I would say to all new
mothers or grandmothers that if a depression
goes beyond the blue that most of us
experience in the first few days after
childbirth, a doctor should be consulted.
Hormones play a major part in promoting and
maintaining pregnancy and lactation, but can
sometimes also cause major depression. This
can lead to disastrous results if left
unattended. If my daughter ever has another
child, I will be alert to any mood swings
signaling post-natal depression. It should
never be underestimated and should be
treated promptly when discovered.
I thank God for
medication and a sensible son-in-law.
Sometimes we mothers need a little help in
getting well when our hormones make our
depression soar way beyond blue.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
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