Postnatal depression – careful planning could avoid or mitigate its effects

Often, the reality of becoming a parent is very different from what was expected or from images of parenthood portrayed in the media. All parents go through a period of adjustment as they try to handle the huge changes a baby brings. For most people, this time of adjustment will be temporary and not overly distressing. Up to 80 per cent of women experience the baby blues between the third and tenth day after giving birth, due to changes in hormone levels following childbirth. Women can feel tearful or overwhelmed but this usually passes within a few days and without specific care apart from support and understanding. Aaron discusses the possible causes leading to postnatal depression with Dr Paul Ng, a Melbourne-based Consultant Psychiatrist. He said careful planning can reduce the risk of going through postnatal depression.

Some women are prone to postnatal depressio Source: Getty Images