I am glad you are going to see someone. I had no problems bonding with my second son but boy did I suffer from PND. Not nice for you or your OH.

I am sorry to hear you are going through this - I hope the GP can offer advice and help you.

It is common to suffer from post natal depression and it can be made worse when you're tired through lack of sleep and stressed, worrying that you're doing things 'right'. Just don't allow yourself to feel pressurised in any way by anyone - family, health visitors, books or forums. Everyone has opinions on feeding, sleeping, baby crying, etc. etc. You do what is best for both you and your baby.

Aw big hugs xxx

I have no experience yet (baby due in 4 weeks) but my hormones have been sending me and my hubby insane, crying one minute, happiest in my life i've ever been the next, worrying then carefree...allover the place so I understand a little how you feel. I've never been one to get 'hormonal' at that time of the month so this has come as a bit of a shock to us both .

Reading some of the replies it sounds like I've got it pre baby, oh 'eck!

I hope you feel loads better soon and the doc has helped you today xxx

Hello ATD. I hope you have been reassurred by your GP that PND is something that so many women experience to some degree or another that it is just about normal. It does not mean that mums with PND are unable to bond with their baby, so don't worry about that.
Your body has been growing this baby for about nine months and the hormones associated with pregnancy and birth suddenly take a nosedive when the baby is born, plus you are overwhelmingly tired. These factors contribute to why so many people feel like you are feeling after the birth of a baby and why PND occurs. Tiredness, unbalanced hormones coupled with a completely new experience of responsibility can be overwhelming. Also unlike before the birth, you can no longer please yourself and go to bed if you are tired. Your child is now tied to you 24hrs.7 days a week and your every move has to be thought through with the baby in mind.
Certainly for me the responsibility was scary; I suffered with PND and my hormones were all over the place. I wondered if I was up to the job.
There are a lot of lovely people on this forum who have come forward and have experienced what you are going through now. Use the forum members, your GP and HV to talk about how you are feeling. I am sure you will get over this, give yourself a bit of time and be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up about how you are feeling and don't try to do everything perfectly. You are not alone.

What she said, if you are doing so, stop listening to all the perfect parents out there, having a new baby is hard work, both emotionally and physically, glad to see you are seeking help.

Sorry your health visitor was of little help all of mine have given me huge multiple choice questionnaires to do, each answer equals a certain number of points and depending on the total number of points you get tells them your 'depression level' which they use to determine if you have baby blues, are normal or have PND and if so how severely.

Glad you got a doctor appointment I hope they are of more help.

I was the same with my first, I would be at work listening to the radio fine and dandy and 5 minutes later I'd be a blubbering wreck for no reason.

Hay
Thanks for all your support the doc did the points questionaire which he said in combination with how I'm feeling points to PND. So he has given me antidepressants for two weeks which im a little worried about because I breastfeed and co-sleep for part of the night. But at least I know in not going crazy
ATD x

I hope the ADs help you get through it and things feel better really soon.

You do realise you've mentioned co-sleeping AND the 'D' word in the same day?Brave person!

On a serious note, you really have to do things YOUR way, so that it is the best way for both you and the baby and you will find what suits the pair of you best. Never mind all the 'experts'. I had all the 'advice' about co-sleeping and how to put the baby down but with my little boy none of it worked out the way they say it should in the NHS books and we ended up having some co-sleeping too - but usually with my husband. We used to call him Baby Grumpling because he was SO grumpy at times. I didn't think he liked me at all, he was always more comforted with his dad. He's happy now though, 14 months on AND he sleeps on his own in his own room, has done for a long time now. Wish I could say the same for my daughter ...

Right now you have GOT some help TAKE the ADs because it does not mean you have to be on them for life and you have to interrupt your feelings for the sake of your OH and baby.

You can then review and look at alternatives when you are in a better state of mind.

sometimes you have to TAKE help!

Good luck

Anne-Theresa PND is not really about bonding with your baby, it is about you being on a hormonal roller-coaster for many months which can play havoc with the way you feel (and yes for some relate to your baby) .

Remember we are all different and have varying hormone levels and mood swings pre and post birth. Also having a baby is of course a huge life changing experience, exciting and frightening at the same time . Being tearful one moment and exhilarated the next is all perfectly normal.

If you feel you aren't coping as the others say speak to your doctor.

I found when I worked nights sleep deprivation made me much more 'emotional' , tearful and unable to cope with everyday situations. This without any baby being present .

Try to grab some rest whenever you can, have a nap during the day when your baby does if you can and above all try and relax , leave the housework and enjoy your baby

ETA have just read your later post and see you have spoken to your doctor.