Tackling postnatal depression

Health visitor Dawn replies: Postnatal depression affects around 10% of all women. It's possible that you may get depressed following the birth of your second baby, because a history of any kind of depression can leave you more vulnerable to postnatal depression. Few studies agree on recurrence rates and there are plenty of women who have PND with one baby and not with subsequent ones. There are also practical steps you can take to help guard against it - you're less likely to get it if you have a good support network around you when your baby is born, so spend time putting this in place. Also remember that with a second baby you'll be better able to identify how you are feeling and spot signs of depression early. This means you'll be able to get help, rest and if necessary, your doctor's advice, before the symptoms become so overwhelming. It may also be that some of the things that caused your depression the first time are no longer an issue, because your circumstances are different. Motherhood is no longer an ‘unknown', and this can help you to cope.

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