Scottish Politician Shares Personal Postnatal Depression Experience to Combat Stigma
A Scottish politician has opened up about her shocking experience with postnatal depression (PND) in an effort to break the stigma surrounding the condition. Kate Forbes, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and former finance secretary of Scotland, shared her story in an interview with The Courier.
Forbes revealed that she was not particularly relaxed leading up to her labor as she had worked up until a day before giving birth. She described her labor as lasting around 18 hours and began to lose a significant amount of blood, leading to a room filled with medical staff. In a frightening turn of events, Forbes went completely white and unresponsive, and her baby had to be delivered using forceps.
The MSP spent several days in the hospital before being allowed to return home. It was during this time that she noticed significant changes in her mental health. Forbes had never experienced any particular challenges with her mental well-being before, but she developed insomnia and extreme levels of terror and fear. She couldn’t sleep, couldn’t comfortably be alone, and experienced night terrors of harm coming to herself or her baby.
Additionally, Forbes struggled with guilt, anxiety, intense sadness, and feelings of vulnerability. She found it difficult to hold her baby and even feared bathing her. Recognizing that something was amiss, Forbes shared her feelings with her midwife, who promptly diagnosed her with postnatal depression.
Following the diagnosis, Forbes received counseling and support from her wider family. She emphasized the lack of understanding, recognition, and investment in supporting women during the first few months after giving birth. While postnatal depression affects a significant number of women, with some statistics suggesting one in ten women suffer from PND (with some going up to 50%), there has been insufficient research and development in addressing the issue.
Forbes is determined to remove the stigma surrounding postnatal depression and hopes to raise awareness about the importance of investing in support systems for women in the postpartum period. She highlighted the need for improved understanding, recognition, and resources to cater to the mental health challenges faced by new mothers.
For women experiencing symptoms of postnatal depression, such as persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, fatigue, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness, it is crucial to seek help from a healthcare professional.
By sharing her own personal experience, Kate Forbes hopes to foster empathy, understanding, and support for women facing postnatal depression. Her bravery in speaking out serves as a reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone and that it is essential to prioritize the well-being of new mothers.
