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• Post-natal depression

While up to 80 percent of new mothers in all circumstances have “the blues” soon after birth, post-natal depression is experienced by between 10 and 30 percent.

It is sometimes not easy to identify and may develop slowly any time during the first year of the baby’s life.

Untreated it may develop into chronic low-grade depression becoming more acute with subsequent births.

A mother may be more anxious or irritable than sad. Symptoms may be mild or severe and some feel they are “going mad”.

It is thought to be caused by several factors: being a perfectionist, lack of support, a traumatic birth, financial and other stress, loneliness, unsatisfactory relationship with the baby’s father and a previous history of depression.

Treatment includes medication, psychotherapy and individual or group support.

“Women hide their feelings because they feel ashamed and guilty,” says the Post-Natal Depression Support Association in South Africa. “They may receive help for tiredness or insomnia but the underlying causes are not examined.

“Health professionals may not recognise the depression or may not take it seriously. Partners and families may not understand how a mother is feeling and tell her: “Pull yourself together”.

Symptoms include:

* Irritability and confusion

* Crying for no apparent reason

* Exhaustion

* Feelings of inadequacy and being unable to cope

* Worrying constantly about the baby

* Feeling scared and panicky

* Feeling ashamed and guilty

* Having no interest in anything

* Insomnia

* Having “no feelings” for the baby

* Avoiding sex

* Thoughts of hurting the baby or self.