After struggling with PND and PTSD, mother of two, Susanna Shirtcliffe urges others to seek help if they need it.
It can be tough for mothers on Mother’s Day – many new mums already feel they have failed at the job.
Around one in seven expecting or new mums in Australia are affected by perinatal anxiety or depression every year, according to Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA).
Mother of two Susanna Shirtcliffe says was “mentally and physically broken” after giving birth to her first child.
After a painful 40-hour posterior labour, the fit yoga teacher was left nervous, wired, and “dangerously exhausted”.
The 34-year-old left hospital in a “very ordinary state” with a great deal of physical pain and felt unequipped to care for her son.
Susanna Shirtcliffe with her now three-year-old son. Image supplied.
My son had reflux.
"My son was a very unsettled baby who cried for long periods and didn’t want to be held close. I couldn’t comfort him and I couldn’t settle him," she said.
By the time the new mum and her husband found out their baby had reflux, she was "an absolute wreck".
"I felt like I was swimming in a deep sea of molasses which was slowly drowning me. I didn’t confide my feelings to anyone at the time, although I cried a lot and was constantly snapping," she said.
Despite trying to justify her feelings as hormones and fatigue, Shirtcliffe knew deep down that "something wasn't right".
Top Comments
Oh, a 40 hour posterior labour is no joke, I'm not surprised she left hospital feeling 'fairly ordinary'.
Keeping the baby with their back to your front, or encouraging them into that position when still pregnant is something that all women should be educated about antenatally, it can be vital to prevent the feelings this woman left the hospital with. My heart truly goes out to this woman.
The figure one in seven is what is reported and diagnosed. Expert suspect the real figure is much higher. I was diagnosed with PND when my daughter was 10-weeks-old. She's now 4 and I'm still on anti-depressants. To be honest, I don't care if I'm on them forever. They, along with a wonderful husband, family and friends saved me. Yes, it was that bad. Mothers (and fathers - dads can get PND too) please seek help if you think something is wrong. Trust your gut instinct. If you don't think it's 'just hormones' don't let anyone else convince you that it is. See your local GP, your OB or your child maternal health nurse. There is no shame asking for help. Beyond Blue also has some great information so look them up online. Also don't discount your mothers' group - often below the red lippy is just another mum struggling just like you and letting your guard down can help you connect with some of the most wonderful women you will ever meet. At least that has been my experience.