Mothering Myths
The most risky time to become mentally unwell is after having a baby. Thirteen per cent of women in New Zealand suffer
from Postnatal Depression with 20% suffering from anxiety during and after pregnancy*. Postnatal Depression Awareness
Week is running from the 31 October to 8 November 2015.
In support of Postnatal Depression Awareness Week, Support Stream Wellness Coaches are providing the public with a list
of common myths relating to Postnatal Depression.
“Common misconceptions of Postnatal Depression can leave women feeling inadequate and lost” says Shelley Southgate,
Support Stream’s Practice Leader and Occupational Therapist who specialises in Postnatal Depression and Anxiety.
“The most common symptoms of Postnatal Depression to be aware of is constantly feeling sad, irritable or angry for no
reason and loss of appetite and interest in usual activities. New mothers can also experience feeling anxious and having
feelings of worthlessness and guilt.”
Shelley says it is essential that mothers take time to look after themselves with a newborn. “With the late nights and
new experiences, a strong support system is vital.”
Our Wellness Coaches help new mums struggling with the demands of this important role by helping them establish routines
and providing education and coaching with parenting skills, relaxation and anxiety reduction strategies and information
and ideas to promote healthy environments.”
Support Stream is a new support service to help New Zealanders manage their mental health and wellbeing and is there to
act as a support system for anyone needing a little extra help. This Auckland service offers support for those
experiencing mental health issues such as Anxiety and Depression or distress due to challenging life events such as
complications during pregnancy or labour or the end of a relationship.
The service is a mobile health service operating in Auckland communities where Wellness Coaches support people to
optimal mental wellbeing.
The Wellness Coach works one-on-one with a client to develop a tailored wellness plan. A wellness plan may include an
exercise and nutrition plan, a daily schedule to help manage overwhelming demands of a newborn, relaxation and
mindfulness strategies or support to join a community group or activity.
The initial assessment is $120 for a personalised wellness plan and a fee of $30 per hour. Support Stream is available
in Auckland’s Central, Eastern and Southern regions.
Sidebar – Postnatal Depression Common Misconceptions:
Postnatal Depression is a sign of weakness.
Postnatal Depression can develop with any woman. Experiencing depression after having a baby is not a sign of a weak
character. The vast majority of women who experience Postnatal Depression have led a healthy, positive lifestyle.
Feelings of depression only strike straight after having a baby.
There is no timeframe for when depression occurs. As you adjust to life with a baby, you experience different phases and
with that, naturally a different set of emotions.
You can just ‘snap out of it’ or you just need to ‘harden up’.
If it was that simple, Postnatal Depression would not be an issue. One of the hardest things about experiencing
Postnatal Depression is the sense of feeling disabled by these emotions.
A mother is able to immediately bond and know what her baby needs.
This is developed, like anything, through experience and practice. There is immense pressure placed on a new mum to
instinctively be this ‘mother earth’ like being.
Māori and Pacific Island mothers are less likely to experience Postnatal Depression because they have more whānau
support.
When you are experiencing Postnatal Depression you feel extremely alone and quite often Māori and Pacific women do not
seek support because they feel obliged to handle caring for a new born on their own.
ends