Page 66 - What to Expect

Going home

Signs of PND and general depression are:

Extreme anxiety, especially over the baby
Constant irritability particularly towards your partner and your
other children
Profound guilt over your reactions

Loss of appetite
Poor concentration
Insomnia and waking early

Loss of interest in sex
Extreme tiredness

Inability to make decisions
Tearfulness
Inability to enjoy day-to-day living.

Please note that many of these symptoms can occur after a woman has
had a baby and may not be postnatal depression.

PND is quite common and nothing to be ashamed of. If you think you have
any of these symptoms, talk about them with a health professional.

PND is not a permanent illness.
You do get better and you get better faster if you get help.

There is research that suggests some women may be at higher risk of PND
than others. These risk factors include:

Difficult and long labour or birth
Caesarean section
Multiple birth

Having a baby that needs intensive care treatment.

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