Post-natal depression (PND)

Having a baby marks a massive change in a woman’s life and can have dramatic effects on physical and mental health.

Some of the most typical symptoms of post-natal depression include feelings of:

  • Overwhelm

  • Aloneness

  • Disconnection from social networks

  • Sadness

  • Grief over not having experienced the ideal birth

  • Tension in relationship with partner

  • Apathy/difficulty getting motivated

  • Neglect of self-care

  • Undeserved feelings of guilt feelings towards the baby

  • Anxiety or grief about body changes

  • Missing the life you had before, including career, social life etc.

  • Frustration at not knowing how to meet the needs of the baby

  • Irritability

  • Perceived sense of inadequacy or failure due to problems with breastfeeding

    Post-natal depression can go undiagnosed but it’s so important for women to get support for their mental wellbeing during the early stages of motherhood.

    Natural support options include:

  • Homeopathics to address birth trauma and wound healing;

  • Herbal adaptogens to increase stress resilience and improve energy;

  • Herbal thymoleptics - gentle mood-lifting herbs;

  • Calming nervine tonics and anxiolytics in the form of herbs, nutrients and homeopathics;

  • Galactagogues to assist promoting breastmilk supply from functional foods, herbal teas and homeopathics;

  • Herbal ointments and specific probiotics to assist with mastitis;

  • Nutritional and dietary recommendations;

  • Lifestyle strategies.

If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to ensure that anything you’re taking is compatible with lactation.

Helping bub ease common issues such as colic, milk regurgitation, oral thrush, settling, night-time waking etc. can also greatly help with your overall coping ability. Babies respond well to the gentle, non-toxic and non-invasive action of homeopathic preparations which are easy to administer.

If you think you have PND or just need some support around your mothering experience, reach out.

Cyena is a Homeopath and Naturopath with over 15 years experience working with families who prefer to take a natural approach to health and wellbeing. She has her own experience as a mother to draw from, and is familiar with the wide variety of issues and ailments that arise from pregnancy to motherhood and infancy through childhood.