Our son was born 7 wks ago and I’m wo... - Pregnancy and Par...

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Our son was born 7 wks ago and I’m worried about girlfriend. She seems so down and very emotional, crying and not herself. Is that normal?

mcity79 profile image
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What can I do to help her?

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mcity79
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Lanai profile image
Lanai

Really could be postnatal depression - i have loads of friends who have suffered from it, but it gets really bad when a new mum doesnt know to ask for help. Be there for her, support her, and encourage her to speak to someone about how she is feeling because she could get treated and helped which will be best for all three of you!

During the first week after giving birth, many mums may find themselves feeling weepy and irritable, rather than joyful and elated. This is called the ‘baby blues’, experienced by up to 80% of mums after giving birth. An experience so common, it is considered a normal part of the birthing experience. Postnatal depression (PND) however is a mood disorder which affects up to one in 10 women in the weeks and months after birth. There is no single answer as to why some mums experience PND and others not. Common symptoms include (but are not limited to): feeling low and despondent, feeling tired and lethargic, feeling unable to cope, wanting to cry and loss of appetite. If you think that your girlfriend is displaying these symptoms try to encourage her to talk about how she is feeling either to you, a family friend or healthcare professional and if she continues to appear depressed then persuade her to visit her GP who will be able to help her more.

Further information can be found on our webpage here: nct.org.uk/parenting/your-f...