I’ve wanted to write about Postnatal Depression for a long time as it is such a hidden illness – so many women come out of the woodwork and admit that they have suffered AFTER going through it, but many will rarely put their hands up and admit they are not coping at the time – somehow it isn’t right, isn’t acceptable, is admitting defeat – aren’t we meant to totally adore being a Mum? I have struggled with depression and anxiety in my life so know how utterly terrifying and isolating it can be and feel it is very important to talk about it – to not let it be a taboo subject. I did a huge amount of reading around the subject when I was training as a massage therapist – indeed baby massage has often been prescribed for Mums with PND to help with bonding and socialising. Certainly the raised levels of oxytocin when giving and receiving massage are beneficial. There are other key factors that help too.
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