Tag: Australia

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Post Natal Depression and The Baby Blues

Do you know the difference and could you spot it?

Mental Health Week is a national event, which runs from Oct 5 to 12 and coincides with World Mental Health Day (10 October). The aim is to promote awareness about mental health and wellbeing, and equip people with the right information.

As part of Mental Health Week we have chosen to highlight the issue of Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression. Do you know the difference between Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression? Could you spot depression in yourself, a friend or partner? And if you did, would you know what to do about it?

Being pregnant and giving birth and all that it entails is a hugely emotional and life-changing experience. Hormones are raging, our body is changing and we experience sleeplessness, anxiety, acute tiredness, tearfulness and many other symptoms, which are all perfectly normal with everything that’s going on.

For one to two weeks after giving birth, many women also experience a short period of mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety and difficulty in sleeping. This can affect up to 80% of new mums and is known as the baby blues and is thought to be linked with the stresses associated with late pregnancy, labour and delivery, along with the rapid hormonal changes that accompany the birth.

Symptoms generally settle during the first week after birth, but for some women these symptoms can carry on for much longer and may be the much more serious condition of postnatal depression. It can also affect partners of new mums as well.

So what exactly is it?

Postnatal or Perinatal Anxiety and Depression (PND) is thought to affect approximately 20 per cent of women who give birth in Australia – around 50,000 women each year, and 10 per cent of their partners.

Postnatal depression can affect women in different ways, but the main symptoms of postnatal depression are:

  • A persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
  • Loss of interest in the world around you and no longer enjoying things that used to give pleasure
  • Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time (fatigue)

Other symptoms can include:

  • Disturbed sleep, such as having trouble sleeping during the night and then being sleepy during the day
  • Difficulties with concentration and making decisions
  • Low self-confidence
  • Poor appetite or an increase in appetite (“comfort eating”)
  • Feeling very agitated or, alternatively, very apathetic (you can’t be bothered)
  • Feelings of guilt and self-blame
  • Thinking about suicide and self-harming

Left untreated, the impact on the mother, her child and other family members can be profound. Perinatal Anxiety and Depression is a recognised medical condition, the result of biological, psychological and social factors.

With celebrities such as Jessica Rowe, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courtney Cox, Brooke Shields, Elle Macpherson, Britney Spears and Marie Osmond bringing the tragic illness into the public arena on a worldwide scale, the Gidget Foundation is one of the key non-government funded organisations that work tirelessly in Australia to raise awareness of and funding for research and treatment for PND.

Postnatal depression often goes unnoticed and many women are unaware they have it, even though they don’t feel quite right, because the symptoms of are wide-ranging.

Spotting the difference between Baby Blues and PND

Mood changes, irritability and episodes of tearfulness are common after giving birth. These symptoms are often known as the “baby blues” and they usually clear up within a few weeks. However, if symptoms are more persistent, it could be postnatal depression.

Women who continue to feel “low” after a couple of weeks after giving birth, should go to see their GP to talk through how they’re feeling. The GP will ask the following two questions if they suspect postnatal depression:

  • During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
  • During the past month, have you often taken little or no pleasure in doing things that would normally make you happy?

If the answer is yes to either question, then postnatal depression is possible. If the answer is yes to both questions, it’s very likely and the GP may ask one further question: “Is this something you feel you need or want help with?” and there is absolutely no shame in saying Yes.

Some women don’t recognise they have postnatal depression, or they choose to ignore their symptoms, because they’re afraid of being seen as a bad mother.

Of course their friends and family are always supportive and would always want to help, but many women with postnatal depression feel they can’t ask for help. It becomes a very secret illness, not unlike a chronic eating disorder. And it can build up very quickly to dangerous levels, which can sadly sometimes lead to tragic consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated.

So it’s hugely important that friends and family also know the danger signs and can act if required.

Danger signs to look out for

If someone you care about starts to show these signs try to get help for them through your local health professional. Danger signs to look out for include:

  • Talk of harming herself or the baby
  • Bizarre thoughts or speech patterns
  • Risk-taking behaviour
  • Behaviour that seems odd or is out of character
  • Severe change in mood
  • Withdrawal from all social contact
  • Extreme despair
  • Obsession with morbid ideas
  • Statements like: ‘They’d be better off without me’.

Treating postnatal depression

Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but there are many treatments available. As long as it’s recognised and treated, postnatal depression is a temporary condition you can recover from.

It’s very important to seek treatment if you think you or your partner has postnatal depression. The condition is unlikely to get better by itself quickly and it could impact on the care of the baby.

Treatment for postnatal depression includes:

Read more about treating postnatal depression.

Why do I have postnatal depression?

The cause of postnatal depression isn’t clear, but it’s thought to be the result of several things rather than a single cause. These may include:

  • The physical and emotional stress of looking after a newborn baby, particularly a lack of sleep
  • Hormonal changes that occur shortly after pregnancy; some women may be particularly sensitive to these changes
  • Individual social circumstances, such as money worries, poor social support or relationship problems

The following will put you at greater risk of developing postnatal depression:

  • A previous history of depression or other mood disorders
  • A previous history of postnatal depression
  • If you experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy

Read more about the causes of postnatal depression.

Helping to prevent postnatal depression

You should tell your GP if you’ve had postnatal depression in the past and you’re pregnant, or if you’re considering having another baby. A previous history of postnatal depression increases your risk of developing it again.

If you keep your GP informed, they’ll be aware that postnatal depression could develop after your baby is born. This will prevent a delay in diagnosis and treatment can begin earlier. In the early stages, postnatal depression can be easy to miss.

The following self-help measures can also be useful in helping to prevent postnatal depression:

Read more about preventing postnatal depression and the self-help measures you can take. But the most important thing is to seek help. Talk to a partner, friend, family member or professional.

Click here for an amazing video on Dealing with Post Natal Depression from PANDA: “Behind the Mask: The Hidden Struggle of Parenthood”

Source:

NHS UK

The Gidget Foundation raises funds and awareness for perinatal. Founded by the friends and family of vivacious Sydney woman, “Gidget”, following her suicide as a result of “post natal depression”, the Gidget Foundation exists to promote awareness of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression (PND) amongst women and their families, their health providers and the wider community to ensure that women in need can receive timely, appropriate and supportive care. They have a dedicated outpatient clinic – Gidget House – in Sydney.

PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Association)

Black Dog Institute

Written and published for CareforKids.com.au http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/october/8/pnd.html

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TV Chef Manu Feildel reveals his perfect day as a regular Dad

2012-07-18-Manu-S3-001-667x1000-600x899We know him as a chef and TV personality, but here Manu Feildel tells CareforKids.com.au what he’s like as a regular dad to son, Jonti,10.
MANU FEILDEL is one of Australia’s best known and loved chefs. The host of Channel7 series My Kitchen Rules, has been a feature on Australian television for over a decade.
In 2011 Manu won the 11th series of Dancing with the Stars, showing that he has an array of skills outside the kitchen! He is the author of three successful cookery books and lives in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
C4K: What’s it like being a famous Dad – for you and for Jonti?

MF: Obviously I don’t see myself as a famous dad, just a dad to Jonti. As he’s getting older though, he’s noticing more and more that I get recognised when we’re out. He’s very good about it, but it can be frustrating when you just want some father and son time.

C4K: You can control a kitchen full of chefs and staff – could you control a room full of children?

MF: No way. Most of the chefs don’t cry if I shout at them, but I’m pretty sure if I shouted at a room full of kids they would all be in tears… closely followed by me.

C4K: How did you spend Fathers’ Day this year?

MF: We didn’t do anything special really, Sunday is our day anyway, so we just made sure we had some quality time together as usual.

C4K: What’s your ideal day with Jonti?

MF: A trip to the cinema (he’ll watch the movie while I have a snooze!), brunch somewhere, a kick around the park, depending on the weather maybe a trip to the beach and a swim and then dinner at home.

C4K: How would you rate yourself as a dad?

MF: I hope I’m not too bad; you’d have to ask Jonti for my score out of 10 though!

C4K: What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to parenting?

MF: I think I am firm and fair. I love to have fun and a laugh with Jonti, but he realises I’m the one in charge and when it’s time for discipline 9 time out of 10 he listens first time.

C4K: What are your hopes for Jonti?

MF: That he is happy and healthy and follows his dreams.

C4K: If he came home one day and announced he was going to join the circus, like you did, what would your reaction be?

MF: I’d be happy for him, as I said I’d love him to follow his dreams and I hope that I would support him in whatever these dreams may be.

C4K: Top 3 things you couldn’t do without as a parent?

MF: Bribes! After school club and a sense of humour!

www.manufeildel.com.au

Written by Sophie Cross for CareforKids.com.au Published 24/9/14.  http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/september/24/interview.html

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Australia: PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION DIVIDES CHILD CARE INDUSTRY

But What is Best for Working Parents?

The Productivity Commission’s draft report published in July looked at the issues facing many parents whose lives and working hours don’t conform to standard child care hours or “approved” child care services. It also discussed how to address the chronic shortfall of child care places in many areas and how to improve women’s workforce participation.

Two of the recommendations made were that overseas Au Pairs should be allowed to stay with one family for the full 12 month working holiday visa (opposed to the current six month maximum period with any one family) and that there should be an extension of child-based government assistance to enable greater access to home-based care services. This is in order to improve accessibility for the growing number of families with parents who work irregular or non-standard hours.

The report also argued that the government should allow approved nannies to become an eligible service, for which families can receive assistance, conditional on those nannies meeting the same National Quality Standards, care ratios and qualifications that currently apply to family day care services.

The above recommendations have been put forward to help address the huge unmet demand for child care in Australia, particularly for the under twos, together with the needs for those families with more than one pre-school aged child, and those with special circumstances, who are working shifts or unsociable hours or who have children with special needs.

In Australia, there are around 3.8 million children under 13 years old, living in over 2 million families. Around half of these children use some form of non-parental care in either the formal or informal sectors or both. And demand is growing as the population and workforce increases.

The Productivity Commission estimates that over 100,000 additional full-time places will be needed by 2026. And increasing long day care places and assistance for Family Day Care Services will still not meet these numbers or the needs of all parents.

Industry bodies and child care businesses of course all have their own opinions to the plausibility, viability or suitability of these recommendations and there will inevitably be some debate over the correct division of child care funding.

The Productivity Commission is suggesting that the various child care benefits, rebates and special assistance be streamlined into one means tested subsidy to make it fair and easy to navigate for parents.

Au Pairs can be a great option for families, particularly if parents buddy up and share an au pair. Only one of you needs to have the extra bedroom, but all can chip in for the cost of bed, board and pocket money. They can bring a different cultural experience for children and often a new language to learn.

And don’t be fooled into thinking that Au Pairs are inexperienced or unqualified. Many women across the world have been au pairs for years. They often have child care qualifications in their own countries and are likely to be more experienced in child care than many child care workers in formal day care centres! The only downside is that they can only stay for up to a year.

Nannies have been around for just as long, if not longer, than day care centres and child-minders. They are often seen as elitist, but the fact is that if you have more than one pre-school child they are far more viable, for average income families, not just high income earners. They often become a very valued member of the family and a good nanny is worth his or her weight in gold.

Vice-president of the Australian Nannies Association (ANA), Annemarie Sansom said that families employing a professional nanny should receive subsidies equivalent to those applied to other forms of childcare.

“When families have two or three children in childcare, the cost is comparable to that of employing a nanny. What makes employing a nanny more expensive at the moment is the lack of any subsidy,” she said.

In-home care is essentially a part time or full time nanny service, but one that is approved and subsidised by the Federal Government, due to special circumstances. It enables families with unusual work, location or care requirements to access approved child care in their own home, and is currently only available to those families that are unable to access standard child care services and/or families in unusual circumstances.

In-Home Care is particularly appropriate for families where parents work night shifts or unsociable hours, as well as those who are in remote locations and don’t have access to child care centres etc.

Recent Government initiatives and Productivity Commission recommendations have included the expansion of access and eligibility to in-home care and funding has been increased to enable more families to access the service.

To see how in-home care varies from the other forms of child care currently available to parents have a look at our child care comparison table.

There is no wrong or right form of child care. No one-size-fits-all. All families and their needs are different.

Written by Sophie Cross for CareforKids.com.au: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/september/17/pc.html