CAMAF Member Option Guides & Info

Postnatal Depression Guide

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nothing can so pierce the soul as the uttermost sigh of the body." GEORGE SANTAYANA Most people today have heard the term 'baby blues' used to describe a mild, short period of depression which many women experience after childbirth. Few people are aware that as many as 10 - 28% of all recently delivered women develop postnatal depression. in a proportion of these mothers the depression may be of such severity that they need out- patient psychiatric help and may need drug therapy. in view of its common occurrence it is surprising that postnatal depression is so rarely mentioned in books about pregnancy and childbirth, and is not usually discussed in antenatal classes. Sadly, many mothers experience severe depression without recognising it as a treatable illness. this can result in the mother suffering needless distress which also affects her family and friends. if a mother is able to recognise her condition, then she can seek medical help at an early stage of her illness. 2

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