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Our Antenatal and Postnatal Depression forum is a supportive space where you can share your postnatal depression experiences.

Antenatal/postnatal depression

PND in men

2 replies

DaydreamDolly · 13/05/2012 06:16

Does anyone have any experience of this? My DH admitted last night that he thinks he had this when DD2 was born. Said he didn't want to come home from work
He thinks he's ok now but she's only 6wks old.
Just looking for someone who's been through similar.

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HappyCamel · 13/05/2012 07:11

Yes I think it's quite common. It's a huge change for a man and they get less support than we do. They are expected to work normally and then be very supportive and understanding of us and deal will the lack of sleep too. Seeing you give birth can be shocking too and DH asked a few times if I could forgive her for what I went through (I think he struggled with that).

DH had 5 weeks off after dd was born and spent most of the first two playing a computer game (often with sleeping dd on his chest). It just took him time to get his head round it all. It really helped when she started to look more human and responsive. He's absolutely brilliant with her now though (13mo).

I think knowing the dads from our NCT group helped him and just a bit of time.

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DaydreamDolly · 13/05/2012 08:25

Thanks for your reply. She's our second baby and suffered with silent reflux for the first 4 weeks so as soon as he walked in the door at night he was met by a wailing baby, harassed wife and frazzled toddler so it must have been hideous. Things are settling now so hopefully it will only get better.
I agree about lack of support etc they are expected to just get on with it.