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.

Now, eight months on I am finally winning the battle. I have returned to work and have a huge network of friends to talk to when times are bad. The daily visits from the crisis support team are now every quarter. It has been a testing time with my husband- but he has been a rock giving support and many shoulders to cry on.

I am not out of the woods yet but I am able to enjoy life again. 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."

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