'Talk About our Postnatal Depression Tuesday' - A Book Review
Beyond the Baby Blues
The complete Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Handbook
Written by Catherine Knox, Benison O'Reilly and Seana Smith.
Beyond the Baby Blues
The complete Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Handbook
Written by Catherine Knox, Benison O'Reilly and Seana Smith.
When I first had my son I read many new parenting books. I was just trying to gain some understanding of what this new life was about, and to discover if what I was feeling was 'normal'. I wish Beyond the Baby Blues was published back then, instead of those sugar coated parenting books. It's written with absolute truth. It's blunt and realistic and I can see myself in all of the scenarios described throughout each chapter.
There is a whole world of information in this book, from Diagnosis, Treatment, Dads and Depression, Having another baby and most importantly personal testimonies in each section.
In chapter three 'How did this happen' it explains the personalty factors that can affect you, and wow there I am described under 'Perfectionist' personality types. "Whilst good organisational skills and attention to detail are rewarded in the workplace, parenthood requires a more easygoing, go-with-the-flow attitude". I had it all planned out in my head, everything was in order, had a place, I was ready to go! But then I had my son, nothing went to plan, he did not care that his room was all set up, he did not care that I needed a certain amount of sleep each day, he did not care about 'The Plan'. My life was a big mess of unorganised chaos! If Someone had said to me, "Just go with the flow", well damn I would have not been so bloody anxious all the time.
There is also information for your family and Friends in Chapter twelve - "How to help - Advice for family and friends". It is almost impossible to explain Postnatal Depression to others. If you have not been in our mindset, then you can never fully comprehend what we are going through. This chapter is a great way to explain to those around you what is going on, why you are feeling this way and how they can help you to get through it.
Right now I'm going to take a read over chapter eleven - "Having another baby' as some day in the near future I do hope that we can have a second and last child. Thanks to this book and the fantastic and honest authors, it's something that I can be more prepared for.
I highly recommend this book to not just Mothers and their families suffering from Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Disorders, but also to first time Mothers. It does not shatter your dreams of what it will be like, it tells you in an honest and heartfelt way that Motherhood is not a fairytale. It's not a huggies commercial, it's real and it's hard. If we all went into Motherhood prepared for the sleep deprivation, common health issues, difficult sleeping patters...then just maybe some of us might just be OK, or at least recognise the symptoms a little earlier and get that much needed help that you need.
You can purchase the book on the Exisle Publishing website here.
You can find out more information Here on the Beyond Baby Blues Website.
Thank you Seana Smith for allowing me to review Beyond the baby Blues and for allowing me to share this with others. Your hard work will help many Mothers and I thank you and your fellow authors for having the courage to speak up.
*I was not paid for this review, I received a copy from Seana Smith for review purposes and all opinions are my own.
You can find our support group here, Mums Helping Mums PND Support Network
For help and support please find links below
www.panda.org.au/
www.beyondblue.org.au/
www.gidgetfoundation.com.au/
There is a whole world of information in this book, from Diagnosis, Treatment, Dads and Depression, Having another baby and most importantly personal testimonies in each section.
In chapter three 'How did this happen' it explains the personalty factors that can affect you, and wow there I am described under 'Perfectionist' personality types. "Whilst good organisational skills and attention to detail are rewarded in the workplace, parenthood requires a more easygoing, go-with-the-flow attitude". I had it all planned out in my head, everything was in order, had a place, I was ready to go! But then I had my son, nothing went to plan, he did not care that his room was all set up, he did not care that I needed a certain amount of sleep each day, he did not care about 'The Plan'. My life was a big mess of unorganised chaos! If Someone had said to me, "Just go with the flow", well damn I would have not been so bloody anxious all the time.
There is also information for your family and Friends in Chapter twelve - "How to help - Advice for family and friends". It is almost impossible to explain Postnatal Depression to others. If you have not been in our mindset, then you can never fully comprehend what we are going through. This chapter is a great way to explain to those around you what is going on, why you are feeling this way and how they can help you to get through it.
Right now I'm going to take a read over chapter eleven - "Having another baby' as some day in the near future I do hope that we can have a second and last child. Thanks to this book and the fantastic and honest authors, it's something that I can be more prepared for.
I highly recommend this book to not just Mothers and their families suffering from Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Disorders, but also to first time Mothers. It does not shatter your dreams of what it will be like, it tells you in an honest and heartfelt way that Motherhood is not a fairytale. It's not a huggies commercial, it's real and it's hard. If we all went into Motherhood prepared for the sleep deprivation, common health issues, difficult sleeping patters...then just maybe some of us might just be OK, or at least recognise the symptoms a little earlier and get that much needed help that you need.
You can purchase the book on the Exisle Publishing website here.
You can find out more information Here on the Beyond Baby Blues Website.
Thank you Seana Smith for allowing me to review Beyond the baby Blues and for allowing me to share this with others. Your hard work will help many Mothers and I thank you and your fellow authors for having the courage to speak up.
*I was not paid for this review, I received a copy from Seana Smith for review purposes and all opinions are my own.
You can find our support group here, Mums Helping Mums PND Support Network
For help and support please find links below
www.panda.org.au/
www.beyondblue.org.au/
www.gidgetfoundation.com.au/
Nice review! I had PND with my second - I didn't read this book (suspect it wasn't published yet) but had took anti-depressants and sought counselling and after about 18 months I emerge from the great void. two years later I had our third child and three years after that I had our fourth, and was lucky never to have PND again. I hope everything works out for you!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great book. Must get my hands on a copy though I wish I had one in my hands 3 years ago. Fingers crossed that I'm coming out the other side now.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I think that so many parents are unprepared for the harsh realities that parenthood can sometimes bring. I think it is wonderful that depression, and partifularly post-natal depression are getting more attention. Being depressed was one of the worst times of my life, being a new mum was one of the hardest. I am greatful to not have had these two experiences at the same time, my heart goes out to those who do.
ReplyDeletexx Sannah
great review. Im glad i didnt have to experience depression at the same time as being a new mum. I think its great more books and help are coming out to help with PND! Hopefully this book will help alot of women with the realities of motherhood
ReplyDeleteChristina this is a great review. I can see how these wonderful ladies have imparted their experience and learning to you with such caring impact.
ReplyDeleteYes, the realities of motherhood and the sugar coated guides you refer to. Thank goodness there is some honesty with caring guidance for mothers.
Thank you all for your comments and feedback.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great thing that we now have more and more resources out there and VOICES for PND :-)
I wish I had a book like this too. The reality of motherhood and perfectionism not meeting would have been easier to deal with if I had a little warning!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this review Christina, myself and my co-authors really appreciate it. I love your description of the book as: 'blunt and realistic.'
ReplyDeleteI had such romantic notions of motherhood and they have been slapped and stamped all over many times. My cousin in London has just had twins and ohh... how I hope she is better prepared for kids than I was!! My aunt will help her out, I'm sure.
There are lots of marvellous moments, luckily. It's good to always visit them when they are asleep as they are all - even Mr14 - still so angelic when asleep. Me too probably.
Here's to mums and dads and good mental health. xx