Depression relapse... or not? : Pregnant again after post natal depression.

Abstract

Depression following birth has wide ranging impacts on the woman, her new baby and family. It has widely been regarded by researchers, that although psychological therapies and pharmacological treatment may be effective in shortening the duration of postnatal depression, there remains an increased risk of re-experiencing depression following another birth. In a study with 22 women who had experienced depression following the birth of their first child, I interviewed women both prior to and following the birth of their second child. The narrative interviews focussed on their experiences of and recovery from depression and their preparation for and the birth of their second child. The research was designed to generate in-depth and contextualized understandings of the women’s experiences, with the aim of developing strategies to reduce recurrence and impact of depression in women with young children. The most surprising finding, however, was that none of the women appeared to re-experience postnatal depression. In this paper I will present case studies exploring these women’s experiences over time. Drawing on critical feminist perspectives, I will discuss issues that are consistent with previous research as well as shed light on some unexpected findings.