My wife has PND

[daddy]

HI,

The very proud recent dad of a little baby girl. 8 1/2 weeks old. My partner had depression years ago long before we ever met so we both knew that pnd was going to be a risk.

Our GP has just confirmed what we both really knew but did not want to say to each other. She has been given tablets of sertraline (50mg) and we have been told this is safe for bf but would like to hear from you as women who have lived through this of you thoughts.

I do what I can around the house, I work fulltime and longer then standard hours and I know I could always do more to help but I find myself just so flat from the stress of work, money,house work, new child and partner too much at times. Any help or advice would be fantastic. How can I help my partner better? I find it so hard to get her to look after herself and take time out for her.

[whatwasithinking]

Every thing that Mischief has said Daddy I second.

You are doing as much as you can. Your wife I am sure does appreciate it immensly.

[sugar n spice]

I have suffered pnd with both my babies so i no doubt this time i will again. i sore a counseller with my first with no medication but with my second i went on zoloft and it was the best thing i did as i actually started to enjoy being a mother, i get depressed during pregnancy which is the start of it for me and i know i am starting to now and i will definetly go back on anti depressants once i have this baby.

All i can say for you is let your wife no you love her just by being there and nothing beats a hug for no reason, wish my dh would have just given me a hug sometimes but he was always there to listen to me even when i was deeply and depressed and saying things im sure he didnt want to hear. he is the one that told me i had to go to the drs so thanks to him i got thru it.

pm me or if you want my msn pm me and we can chat .

[UnconditionalLove]

Just continue being yourself. Give her lots of hugs, kisses and make her feel special.

Tell her to go and have a bath, set up the bathroom with some nice candles and a magazine. Do this weekly.

Also, let her go out for an hour or so each week alone - say to the shops or just for a walk. It will help.

It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job. Dont punish yourself, its not your fault or her fault she has this illness, its just something that happens to even the best of us.

[daddy]

Thanks so much,

Things are going well for us, better each day.

All suggestions have been great. We were doing most already but it is good to hear from others whom have been in the same position. We are really lucky to live near to my partners family so thay have been a great support. Even better that We all get along so well. I has been hard on me as my family live interstate or overseas. I guess I just need confirmation that it was normal, and that others have been through the same thing and come out the other side.

Mother group has started and I really think it has helped.

Thanks again.

[sugar n spice]

daddy

glad to hear things are getting back on track so to speak. just keep taking each day as it comes.:hugs: to you both

[1+1=5]

i think most communities will have post natal depression support groups which could be good. i suffered from it really badly for about 2 years and i know how hard it can be. the worst thing is that you really don't feel like doing anythign like going out or socialising so it can be hard to get her to do anything. you just want to sleep all day or lay in bed and cry.
i think perhaps she needs somethign to look forward to, maybe go out as a family once a week where there is no pressure on her to do anything but relax and get her out in the sun a bit instead of staying in all day. with this nice weather, the beach is a great place to go. the sun also gets the happy hormones going.

and don't foget to look after yourself too daddy, try not to take on too much. i think its great that you're showing so much interest and that you want to help her. shes a lucky mum and i'm sure she knows it.

best of luck and don't forget bubhub is a great support network for you and your wife.