Post natal depression or normal?

Hi all. Looking for some advice. I am a FTM with a 9 week old baby boy. I don’t know if how I’m feeling is very normal or I am moving into the PND area. My baby is generally very good and I have a very supportive husband and family who help out when they can. I find myself crying almost daily, often longing/ missing my old life and often looking at other people when I’m out and about and wishing I was as free as them. These feelings sort of come and go through out the day, mixed with more positive moments. Think they are heightened when I am not out doing as much. Of course I love my baby but I haven’t had this sort of over whelming feeling that I hear other people talk about and of course I don’t wish he wasn’t here but equally I do miss my life before him. It’s confusing. Is this normal? Should I seek some help? Or will this pass? I have spoken to my husband about it but I always sort of feel quite alone and like no one else would truly understand how I feel. Any advice or support appreciated.

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I could have written this myself with my 6week old. Sending lots of love x

If you google the Edinburgh post natal depression scale you will find a set of questions to answer. This is what a HV or GP might use to see if it is pnd and it might help you. I think missing your old life is normal as it's a massive change but this could be more than that so worth talking to a professional to get support

I don't think you should be worrying about whether it is or isn't as much as thinking about if you feel you'd like some support and what could be helpful. If it is that you'd like support, you should reach out regardless. Don't stress about the labels. Just do what you need to take care of you x

It's normal in that most mothers feel like this. However I didn't have it much for my first kid but definitely more so now with second. It's a struggle to do anything with a toddler around too. The lack of sleep and disruptive routine is enough to impact anyone. Just try your best to take care of yourself. Write down thoughts , make lists of things to do and take things slow. Use all the support and help around you. If you still feel bad then you should contact your GP / HV for more advice

Also meet more new mums. Make a new social circle for yourself. It really helps trust me.

If you're not feeling yourself and aren't sure if it's going to get better or worse, then seek some help. I'm a second time mum and I can't believe how different I feel this time around. With my first I didn't realise how much I was struggling. You may speak to someone and feel you don't need the help they're offering but it's good to take steps sooner rather than later x

I feel the same and my second is 8 weeks old. I often think of others who don’t have children or don’t have a newborn and think about how free they must be without a massive 24 hour a day responsibility. It’s very normal xxx

Oh this rings true! I describe it as mourning my old life lol. My care free 20s and early 30s feel like a lifetime ago. I think it’s totally normal to feel this way, and yes there’s no doubt we love our babies and what we have created, it’s just a brand new adjustment to a brand new life and chapter, which will get easier over time ❣️

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