Baby, Baby: Second time motherhood after postnatal depression

Abstract

Women who experience depression after the birth of their first child are at an increased risk of re-experiencing depression following a subsequent birth. This study builds on the work of feminist scholars who have sought to understand women’s experience of depression and recovery within the context of their lives and the social, relational and political systems that affect them as women and mothers. I completed two semi-structured interviews with 22 women who were pregnant with their second child and who identified as having experienced depression after their first child was born. The first interview focussed on their experiences of and recovery from postnatal depression and their preparation for the birth of their second child. The second interview three to four months after the birth focussed on the birth and early motherhood with two children. A thematic analysis of time 1 interviews provides a contextual understanding of the women’s expectations of motherhood and babies, and the profound contrast between these expectations and their actual experience. Four general circumstances appeared to make motherhood more difficult: traumatic or difficult birth, women’s physical health problems, child’s health and feeding problems and lack of support. These last two were by far the most common and an understanding was gained of why current strategies by agencies to support new mothers were not effective initially for this group of women. A narrative analysis of both time 1 and time 2 interviews provides a view of each woman’s transition from first to second time motherhood within the context of their relationships, the issues they faced, and the positions they took or were assigned. None described experiencing prolonged depressed mood again after their second child was born. Explanations for this were explored. The most common narrative was that of the endurance test whereby over half the women described how they came through by stoically trudging on. However women also identified changes in baby getting “easier” and/or they became the expert on their baby. These attributions as well as the use of seditious talk with friends helped dismantle idealised notions of motherhood and babies. A second narrative was adopted by two women who identified the work they did in dealing with the emotional baggage and relationships related to family of origin and in particular their mothers as key. The impact of a depression diagnosis on women’s approach to second time motherhood was explored. Second births and motherhood were narrated as redemptive or even transformational. Key aspects of the women enjoying motherhood more second time round related to their dismantling of multiple barriers to practical support and a hardier positioning of baby “the first one survived, the second one will have to”.