Christine is very frank about her experience and hopes
she can use her story to help other mothers.
She said:
‘I had waited seven years for my first baby. I had no financial worries
and my husband was understanding and supportive. I felt over the moon and
totally elated after my son was born – for a month, and then the bubble
burst. Because my son was premature, he was taken to the Premature Special
Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and the staff there were brilliant. However, I
missed out on the bonding I should have had with my son and was left in a
ward with other mothers who had their babies with them and I felt so
isolated. After two weeks, I left Raigmore and went home, but felt I could
not cope as everything had been done for my son in hospital and my safety
net had gone. I worried about everything. Was he getting enough to eat?
Was he getting enough to drink? Would I know if something was wrong? I
just couldn’t trust myself to look after him. On top of this I wasn’t
sleeping and would be awake most of the night to check if my son was still
breathing. Eventually I couldn’t go on any longer and went to see my GP,
who prescribed anti-depressants. Things went from bad to worse and I
remember just wanting someone to talk to who had experienced the
difficulties I had and to tell me they understood and that I would get
better. I ended up being admitted to Craig Dunain and after a good night’s
sleep I felt much better. After two weeks I was discharged, went home and
never looked back.’
Lorna, who is now pregnant with her third baby and
thriving on it had a similar story to tell:
‘After the sudden death of my daughter I got pregnant again quickly
and, after a long labour, gave birth to my son by emergency section. He
was taken to the SCBU unit for a couple of days as he had a slight
infection. When I got him back, I couldn’t cope and asked the nurses to
take him away again as I didn’t feel anything for him, but nobody
understood nor would they listen. Once I was home I found it harder and
harder to do anything and could neither look after my new baby nor my five
year old daughter. I was prescribed anti-depressants, but felt more and
more suicidal every day. Eventually I cut my wrists and was admitted to
Craig Dunain. I felt safe and secure in hospital to the point that when I
was allowed out shopping, I could not wait to get back to ‘my safe haven.’
After eight weeks I got home. Christine and I continued our close
friendship and decided to set up HAPIS, a website to help other women who
felt like we did. If there was one thing that I would say to any woman
suffering from postnatal depression it would be to talk, talk and talk,
especially to people who know what you are saying is not crazy, but normal
for post natal depression. I am now expecting another baby, which I did
not think I would . It has taken a while, but the Health Services are
listening, which is obvious from the seminar. There has also been talk of
setting up groups in other areas of the Highlands.'
Christine and Lorna wanted to turn their experience
around and help others. The majority of women would not have as bad an
experience as Lorna and Christina had as their postnatal depression was
particularly severe. Most women recover with help and support in their own
home from their families, GPs, Midwives and Health Visitors, or indeed by
contacting HAPIS.
The facts are that there have only been six admissions
into New Craigs in the past year with postnatal depression. There are risk
factors that can be identifed if someone is at risk but these are
indicators rather than a trigger. However, death from a mental disorder
after childbirth is far more prevalent than death from actually giving
birth.
Both Christina and Lorna could not speak highly enough
of Jo Veasey and the support she has given them. Jo is a Public Health
Practitioner, working for Inverness Local Health Care Co-operative. She is
from a midwife and health visiting background with a special interest in
postnatal depression:
Jo said:
When Christina contacted me I nearly bit her hand off in my rush to get
involved because I understood the particular problems she would face. Both
Lorna and Christina have been tireless in their work with HAPIS making an
important contribution for women’s health in the Highlands. Anything that
helps to raise professional & public awareness of postnatal depression is
a good thing. It is useful for health visitors, midwives & GPs etc. to
know there is a support group available. Professionals are not always the
best support for women, and it is important to new mothers that the group
members have shared similar experiences to them. The mums say it is really
helpful to discover they are not alone.’
In the NHS Highland area, there are approximately 2,000
births a year. Out of these, 34 women will use existing mental health
services, 4 might have to go to hospital, up to 300 will experience
post-natal depression and up to 200 might have temporary emotional
distress.
