Real Postnatal Illness
Stories
Below are
personal accounts from mums and dads who experienced postnatal
illness first hand. A word of warning - people's personal stories
of postnatal illness can be very distressing particularly if you
are feeling vulnerable yourself, be aware of how they make you
feel and only read them if your feeling OK. Back
to index of stories.
Marion's story
- "It wasn't until my waters broke that it dawned on me that
I was going to give birth within the next few hours. For months
my husband Steven and I had been planning the arrival of our first
child. We had planned for every eventuality; we had baby grows
in numerous sizes and colours, some long sleeved, some short sleeved
in case there was a heat wave in March. However, we never discussed
being postnatal - but then why would we!
I never spoke
about the labour in the run up to the birth, but I was adamant
I was not going to have a caesarean or epidural as I was frightened
of needles. After two days of screaming, blood everywhere and
several injections into my backside, I finally gave birth to Sam
weighing in at 7lbs and 12oz.
I was relieved
it was all over and I could start planning for picnics with friends,
endless shopping trips and twelve months off work. I thought it
was going to be amazing. Sam slept like a dream and I was so proud
of myself that I could breast feed.
As the weeks
progressed, I started to get anxious and fretful. Every bone ached
in my body. When Sam was eight months old, I didn't want to go
out. I wasn't interested in socialising, lost three stone in weight
and wanted to give up. After months of going to the doctors I
finally broke down at the health clinic. What was wrong with me?
The next thing
I knew the doorbell rang and in walked a doctor from the mental
health unit and a nurse. I was very frightened. Were they going
to put me in a psychiatric unit? Were they going to take Sam away?
After a lengthy discussion, they explained that I was suffering
from postnatal depression. I didn't understand. I hadn't been
depressed before. I am normally a happy, bubbly person, the life
and soul of the party. I was put on 24 hour suicidal watch by
the mental health team. I had daily visits from the team and weekly
meetings to the psychiatrist.
It took along
time to recover, not weeks, not months but years! Those were some
of the darkest days in my life - visiting a counselor, psychiatrist
and numerous doctors.
Now after having my second child I feel I am finally winning the
battle. It was a tough decision to have a second one but I'm glad
I did as she is beautiful and my family is now complete. I work
part time in London and have a huge network of friends to talk
to when times are tough. My buddy from the charity was amazing
and I now have a friend for life who I share the rollercoaster
with. I was able to confide in her what I wasn't able to do with
the doctors for fear of my baby being taken away. It's been a
testing time but Steve has been a rock giving support and many
shoulders to cry on. Now I'm approaching 40 I'm excited about
the future - and what it holds for my family of four.
Postnatal
illness is a cruel and wicked illness - but please don't suffer
in silence. There's lots of help available through your Health
Visitor, Doctor and other mums who have also suffered...so please
get help if you are suffering."
If
you have a story and are willing to share it with others then
please contact. Click
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