Jolly good idea, I often think that if more of our politicians had to deal with what the rest of us do, then they might actully have an idea of the real world. Often it is only those who have needed services and could not access them who see the need for those services. Often services are only there for those who live close to or in a particular suburb or town. Those of us who do not live in the city are just as clever at thinking up helpful services and the like as those who do live in more centralised areas. The older style baby and child health clinic sisters used to visit new mums and check over the baby whilst chatting to themum. Often giving out practical advice along the way and being able to refer the mother to other services if she needed help.

Governments need to acknowledge that children are our future and that growing them is the most important task that any of use can undertake in our lives. To this end the more services and support that is put in place in the early weeks, months and years of a child's life is an investment not only in their future but in the future of our country. Money spent now on prevention and support, will save many times the amounts in the future. Educaton is cheaper than counselling, teaching massage and relaxation tecniques to new mothers is easier and cheaper than trying to fix the problems that come with sleep deprivation and the health problems that babies can experience from untreated colic and the like. The list is not quite endless, but so many things are easier and better treated as a preventative before becoming a huge problem.

Perhaps you're right with the National Road Toll Idea, a National PND Toll would be a serious eye opener, to all those that are'nt aware or believers of how serious  the condition can actually be to those suffering and their families...

I thought that all those services were available to mums through a child health clinic.  I've always been asked if I have had need of the services, and I'm in a small country town.

I believe and hope more business will start to give support to mothers . In South australia there is a company called MAID FOR MUM. They support in many ways , shopping, looking after the baby when mum needs a sleep , helping getting mum into routine. Preventing post natal depression . Its time the government is waking up , supporting this will prevent many health issues in the future in communities.

I read heaps of books, magazines and talked to other mothers.. But when I had my first baby I had NO IDEA what i was actually in for... I wasnt taught the basics on how to calm a new born or even how to wrap my baby..Nor how to care for sore nipples, I was so stressed out until 2 months later I was shown such techniques and told what exactly to expect.. I was however lucky enough to have my midwife visit once a week.. I guess I was too wrapped up in having everything ready for the baby, that i forgot to get myself ready.. I now meet with other first time mums and compare notes.. I just wish there was more information available instead of just how to give birth..

I completely agree we should have some sort of at home visits. i had a hard time with my first baby, especially with breast feeding. i don't feel like i got any real help at all. I am now about 6 weeks away from having my second baby and am a bit concerned about not getting any help again.

I'm really confused.  I live in Townsville Queensland, and with both my boys (ages 3 and 1) we had exactly what you are talking about.  For weeks we had the same midwives from the hospital they were born in come to the house.  They would stay as long as I wanted them to and they wouldn't leave unless they knew I didn't have any more questions for them.  Then once their visits were done (I can't remember how many of them there were, but a few) then we could go to another centre for completely free and they had lactation consultants, post natal depression support groups, day stays, night stays, mental health support - they give you surveys to do to see how you are coping and if you answer some questions with dangerous questions - such as I'm thinking of hurting myself or I purposely hurt myself - then they're not allowed to let you leave without talking to a phyciatrist (but the problem with that is they have to have your permission so sometimes they're in a bit of a pickle).  In other words EVERY type of support possible.  I'm so confused because we don't even live in a capital city, and we have all of that for absolute free no matter how much money you don't or do make.  They've also go all the information you could possible have about playgroups, pram walking clubs, and all those other community groups for mothers, fathers and their kids.

Don't the capital cities have this?

There is a website here in Quebec, not sure if it has spread to other parts of the country.. But it is called Maman Love...

And basically you buy someone a gift of food for a week.. A hot meal every day....   I think this is a great thing and I know I would apreciate it..

But I think at the least for first time mothers (Second and third time around too but if the government budget won't stretch that far) some one should be able to go help out during the day for a week or so to help with routine.

I don't know how I would have managed with out my mother for the first three weeks of Francis's life. She was a god sent... Mind you it helps that she is Nana and wanted to cuddle as much as she could before she went back to Australia...  But she helped me so much it was amazing...     She helped me cook for the rest of the family, she helped me bath him, and with out being pushy she helped me do the things that I was messing up... :)   She would not come right out and say it, but she would say "This is what I did when you were a baby".. And I have to say her way was always easier... And she did not make me feel like she was pushy or anything... 

Some times I'd see the look of "what are you doing on your face" and I'd ask her whats up???  She'd say nothing so I'd have to push... :)

But if you could have someone come in and show you either an easier way, or another option on how to do certain things, help get  into routine it is an amazing thing to have...

Ok rambled enough.. :)

But yes I believe that there should be made avalible a service where someone comes to help you out at least for the first week or two...  I think it would help a lot of people..

I do think we need more support. After my second child I suffered post natal depression and I was put on prozac which devestated me as I always that of myself as a strong person.I had a lot of help for my first child from family but not with my second.

I think there should be mental support and also support for the family and especially the mothers need all the help they can get.

In UK we have a Govt programme called Sure Start www.surestart.gov.uk/ . This group is local to all areas and all people. Its policy is to give a sure start to all children, as such they will help to access, any and all availiable support for Mum and the family. From finding surrogate grannies to help the first time Mum, through to mental health support or day care for children and families.

The sad thing is that, many parents feel that to turn to organisations like this, in time of need, is a failing in their role as Parents, so,so sad. The other problem is getting middle class parents to access these support networks, they feel that as they are not poor, they should not need the help!!!!!!!!!

I think you are right that all governments need to wake up to the fact that, families matter, and with the decline in family based community, there needs to be structures in place to fill that void, and boost parents confidence as parents.

The statistics on fatality and mortality, should be recorded as standard, I so agree with you there.

We also need to encourage more community involvement, and stop isolating ourselves and our children from those around like our neighbours, There are more good concerned people around, than bad, but the modern mentality, of non interference, is killing the much needed community,so sad.

Best wishes, Luv Winnie.xxxx

I think that it would be great to have a program where mother's could volunteer to take new mum's who would like help under their wings.  Like meet them when they are around 30 weeks pregnant, and be like a 'big sister' to them to offer them moral support and understanding. 

There are some hotel-like hospitals that new mums can stay at to recuperate and get into their new role as mothers in a leisurely pampered fashion.  Unfortunately this is only available to well off families, I think an environment with no outside pressures that was comfortable and supporting should be available to anyone who needs it.

Yes; we do need to elevate the profile of mother's and babies, and families in general.  When the world pays more respect and care and invests in the family unit, it will begin to heal and be a better place for us all to live in.,

In the UK if new Mum's/Dad's ask their health visitors they can be given a list as long as their arm of different services and support groups available to them.

The trick is not to be nervous of going, cause both the parents and babies can make new friends and have fun!

we have a group called CLAN in Perth that consists of vollenteers including parents who have been trained to just help out other parents. The lady that helped us with Logan did things like help us get to the doc (cause we didn't have a working car or car seat) and taught us how to settle Logan when he was a baby. she was a couple of years older than me and had 5 kids of her own, so a wealth of experience to draw from. Some of these parent helpers have also been through things like PND and some come from minority backgrounds which gives them even more understanding of parents and families and the dynamics involved in them. just though i would throw this in... ::)'s from becca

They are some big questions and any support is good support.  With my first child i had the same midwives throughout my pregnancy, birth and home care.  It was brilliant, real continuity of care.  I clicked with these women so that helped, and remember feeling frightened when i knew that was the last visit, but i coped,lol!

My second child i had hardly any support but i didn't need it everything ran smoothly and it was easy.  And i actually had one of the same midwives from my first child!

With my last child they had cut back with the midwifery appointments and basically everything.  I didn't seem to be in a high risk catagory so i didn't need the services. I remember feeling ripped off.  I think i had a touch of pre natal depression, not really wanting three kids etc.  I stayed in hospital for as long as i could, but i think they would have like me to go earlier.  Home was still going to be there waiting so i put it off as long as i could, i think 4 days so i only had one midwifery visit when i was home.  The midwives were still great, and one from a previous pregnancy recognised my name on the door and popped in to say hello. 

I think ,for myself, it is that sort of familiarity with these people that make you feel more in control.  I think there are services out there but you have to seek them, to have someone come to you is so much easier, especially with your first baby when you don't know what is normal or not and may not reach out for help.

Speaking from experience, I am not sure what can be done but something needs to be...  When my children were born I had one midwife home visit and then I had to drive to an early childhood clinic for the rest (15-40mins drive).  They were helpful on the whole - a couple of nurses weren't that great but others were brilliant. 

With my first I also saw a paediatrician, a lactation consultant, a social worker, a speech therapist and even (twice!) went to a baby residential clinic - yet none of them picked up that I had PND.  I guess if was not entirely their fault - I was in denial and when it was brought up refused to accept it.  I guess also each person was an individual and there was no holistic care with different practioners communicating.

With number 2, I had the usual home visit and then monthly clinic visits - it was at one of these she picked up my PND and referred me to my GP there and then (she rang and made the appointment).  I think being willing to accept it made a difference to our discussion of it.

So in short I think yes there needs to be more than one home visit - but then again where I live would that be feasible?  There is a brilliant organisation called HomeStart that has volunteers who come weekly to visit needy mums and they were brilliant - but they are not trained nurses or doctors and can only do so much. 

Don't know if that helps your ponderings, but I have been more and more aware of late of the numbers of mums being diagnosed with PND and I can only think that it comes from lack of support for new mums - many of us don't have parents nearby to help and due to the individualisation of society there is a lack of a "village" mentality to help both mum and baby.  And, as if often said, it takes  a village to raise a child.  Can we become teh village?  But how does that work when many of us don't know our neighbours because we work up until we have babies.  Playgroup is brilliant, but really only supports mums who have already reached out.  So I don't know ....

During a pregnancy women are bombarded with appointments with ObGyn's, midwives, GP's, scans, tests, etc etc

After you give birth - all the fuss and attention dissapates - suddenly any attention is centred just on bub's - mummy becomes invisible except to ask inane questions of, and if she's lucky - she's just a portable milk bar.

There needs to be far better education while a women is pregnant of all the services that are available and of the services she may need,  so that once bub's is here, in that hazy-maze of sleep deprivation, she has a vague idea of where to go for help.

Maybe there also needs to be better education for fathers as well - 'cos generally they are half of the parenting unit

I think they are all great ideas. Yes we do have some of them, but as lexi says, not all parents are well informed about some of the services available. I recently had a really bad episode of depression (a few months ago) where I had a midwive from the child health centre come and visit me.

I also had one come 3-4 times in the week after Anthony was born and it was a blessing. We need more midwives and more accessiable services and info out there for all mums. I think this could be a life line for alot of mums struggling with the demands of a new baby.

I think that we should have all those things. We do have services out there but unfortunately most parents don't know that and so they go without. I was lucky with zack as I was given so much information and offered so much help but alot of parents don't get this and so they don't know where to turn to.

I think if there were enough midwives out there new mothers should have the option of home visits for a month after the birth. I believe it would really help alot of parents to feel more comfortable and maybe cope better knowing they have the extra support.

 Lexi xxx

I think so.. TOTALLY!!.I never felt as alone as i did having PND..Its always a constant struggle.. Heres a story for you - I went to see my health nurse it must have been for C's 4 month check up when i knew something was up with me but didnt want to say anything.. i think i wanted someone else to SEE it and fix it... anyways.. The health nurse asked me to fill out a survey on depression.. so ofcourse i did it.. but because she was sitting right infront of me as i filled it out i answered it like nothing was wrong.. all the "no i donts", but i did say to her " i think i may have HAD it".. she looked at me and said during this period it whats known as the "baby blues" and usually doesnt last.... thats the last time i mentioned it to anyone or reached out for help.. and the worse i got..

Steff xx

There are a myriad of services available for new mums - it;s just that they are not aware of them

Your MHN can best give you advice as to whats available. 

I think we need to make pregnant mothers aware of all that's available

Yes totally. As a survivour of PND we need to make others more aware of it