2001 Conference

'FAMILIES IN TURMOIL" THE FINAL CHAPTER

Lara Bishop, Author "Postnatal Depression: Families in Turmoil", Community Representative, Marcé Society, Committee Member Post Natal Disorders Support Group Association Incorporated. PO Box 92, Ferny Hills, QLD, 4055, Australia. Tel:0414485133 Email: larabishop@uq.net.au

PND is a devastating illness that affects all aspects of a woman's life. After suffering PND a woman may be reluctant to have another child, fearing the PND may return. It is widely accepted that the likelihood of developing PND is higher with subsequent births, if you have suffered from the illness previously.

However, the stories of people, like myself, who successfully have another child WITHOUT developing PND after the birth are rarely reported. This paper briefly considers my personal struggle with PND after the birth of my first child and discusses the issues I faced when considering a second child, including the terrifying fear that PND would return. I discuss my pregnancy, my feelings, and the issues I faced, including:

• The use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy;
• Prophylactic treatment with medication after the birth and whilst breast feeding;
• Preventative strategies I employed including cognitive behavioral therapy and regular visits to a psychiatrist to monitor my mood;
• The importance of a strong support network for myself and the family;
• The difficulty of adjusting to life without PND (what will take its place?); and
• The first year of my baby's life and my mental health.