Postnatal depression is more than a case of “the weepies” for some new mothers — it can be deadly and often goes untreated.
Postnatal depression is more than a case of “the weepies” for some new mothers — it can be deadly and often goes untreated.
It drove 39-year old Amy Black drown her infant daughter and throw her body over an eight-foot fence, a court has heard this week.
The American was happily married to a British man and living in the UK when she gave birth to Zoe, but her husband Jack later told detectives she began having paranoid and suicidal thoughts.
On September 1, 2013, CCTV cameras captured footage of Black climbing an eight-foot fence behind her home and tossing her wet baby into bushes on the other side.
She later called emergency services and told police “Don’t bring Zoe back”.
“She wanted to die. She’s been unwell because she’s been crying a lot.”
A post-mortem examination of Zoe found she had most likely drowned.
In court Black pleaded guilty to infanticide on the grounds that she “caused the death of her child at a time when the balance of her mind had not recovered fully from giving birth”.
Prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC told the judge the “balance of her mind was disturbed, because she had not fully recovered from giving birth,” according to the Nottingham Post.
“I make it plain the Crown will not seek to litigate either murder or manslaughter in this case,” he said.
Her Husband told police during the investigation the couple had been a “wonderful, perfect family living a good and happy life”.
How serious is postnatal depression?
Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) CEO, Belinda Horton, told Woman’sDaythis sort of tragedy is frightening but uncommon.
She said new parents should understand suffering with depression does not equal being an unfit parent.
“This sort of case is incredibly rare but it does happen,” Horton said.
“You need to get help early to avoid such a rare and tragic outcome, but for most people suffering from postnatal depression, treatment is very effective.”
According to PANDA, there is a broad spectrum of mental health issues that new parents can face and the “baby blues” is the most common and the most treatable.
Affecting about 80 percent of new mothers, the baby blues involve tearfulness, anxiety, mood fluctuations and irritability and will pass “with understanding and support”.
At the other end of the spectrum is puerperal or postnatal psychosis, which only affects 1 in 500 mothers, but presents risk to the life of both mother and baby if it isn’t treated.
Ms Horton says it is important to look out for a two-week period of unusual behaviour in mothers and fathers after a baby is born.
“If mum and dad are out of sorts or not acting themselves for two weeks they should get help and talk to somebody,” Mr Horton told Woman’s Day.
She said it should be recognisable even in an overtired or stressed new mum.
“In that time mum should be able to get a really good sleep and feel back to normal at some point.”
“it is really important to look at the timeline of behaviour.”
If you or anyone you know needs help please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or PANDA (Post and antenatal depression Association) on 1300 726 306
