I have been involved in these days in the past and they are worth attending!
The Parental Mental Health and Child Welfare Network is holding its 7th study day on Monday 6th December in partnership with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM), on
Family Thinking: Keeping The Whole Picture In Mind Working With Families Affected By Parental Mental Ill-Health
*10 free places reserved for service users and carers*
http://www.spn.org.uk/index.php?id=943
**Draft Programme now available**
Sharing ideas and practice with others passionate about the needs of people in families – of all sizes and shapes – who have been affected by parental mental ill-health, can be an inspiring boost to us all.
To consider critically, government policy developments affecting working with families affected by parental mental ill-health. The day will include :
· News from the Department of Health’s Nurse Partnership Programme;
· Innovative thinking from John Burnham, Head of Family Services at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and renowned speaker and practitioner;
· The latest developments in sites supported by SCIE’s Think Child, Think Parent, Think Family implementation team;
· Personal experiences of caring for a parent with mental health issues from young carers supported by the Children’s Society.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity – places are going fast. Thanks to a contribution from the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) we are able to keep our early bird price of £95 right up until the 6th December instead of charging £125 from the 11th of November as earlier advertised.
We look forward to seeing you on the 6th!
Tayo Richards
SPN Executive Officer Social Perspectives Network
www.spn.org.uk spn@scie.org.uk 020 33971678 07949877111
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Monday, 29 November 2010
Friday, 26 November 2010
Postnatal Illness - who knows where to refer to and what's on your wish list?
Last night I had the pleasure of presenting my story and suggestions on supporting families affected by postnatal illness to a wonderful group of midwives, nursery nurses and health visitors just outside Preston, Lancashire.
I was invited to speak by the very efficient www.learningcurve.uk.net and the venue was amazing Ribby Hall. http://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/banqueting-events/ . The setting and food was great and the touch of hot chocolate and strawberries coated in chocolate just before I spoke was really special! I hope I get booked to speak there again and would recommend it as a venue.
It was a trip down memory lane for me as this was the area where I was born and I grew up on the Fylde Coast. I recalled happy Sunday afternoons feeding the ducks at Wrea Green village and was just sad that the timing was wrong to have some of my all-time favourite Bonds of Elswick ice cream. I was told it is still available! 40 years on and I can still taste it! Mmmm! http://www.bondsofelswick.co.uk/BsetRetail.htm
One special thing about the evening for me was meeting a lady who had read my book around 5 years ago when she was in the throws of extreme postnatal illness. She contacted to me some time later to say how it had given her hope and her family. Her daughter is now 5 and although we have emailed over the last few years we had never met until last night! I feel humbled and priviledged to help people but her story also inspires me to keep on doing what I do.
I was also thrilled to have two other trustees (I am one) of a new Foundation for maternal mental health in my audience. It was the first time they had heard me speak! Watch this space on the Foundation ....
I am always impressed by the dedication of the professionals attending these sessions. They are there because they care about the families they are dealing with. However, in chatting to some of them I was told that in some areas their postnatal support groups are being the first things being 'cut'. This is both shocking and very, very short-sighted as in the long run untreated and unsupported postnatal illness can lead to years of mental ill-health for members of the family; relationship breakdown; child protection issues and in extreme cases - deaths. If this is happening (cuts) in your area please can you let me know?
Another situation which I uncovered was that experienced and dedicated midwives DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE WYTHENSHAWE MOTHER AND BABY UNIT!!!! This is a specialist unit on their doorstep and delivers excellent care. They admitted that if a lady presented with puerperal psychosis that they would not know whom to refer her to and because they are rushed off their feet, often they are even wary of asking how a newly delivered mother is feeling because if she answers negatively they haven't the time to do anything about it or how to help! I do not blame the midwives at all but 'the system' that is squeezing them so tightly. I have heard from many midwives who love their job but the pressures and reality that they are unable to be there for women as they should be is making them leave the profession. This is another scandal that has to be stopped. Is it going to take the deaths of mothers and their babies before anything is done?
I am currently part of a group looking at improving maternal and infant mental health in the North West of England. I will do my utmost to represent the families in that area (and beyond) but I need to know some more details of what is or isn't happening out there and what you would like. Please leave comments here or email me at elaine@hanzak.com
Safe to assume I am angry and very, very concerned.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
I was invited to speak by the very efficient www.learningcurve.uk.net and the venue was amazing Ribby Hall. http://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/banqueting-events/ . The setting and food was great and the touch of hot chocolate and strawberries coated in chocolate just before I spoke was really special! I hope I get booked to speak there again and would recommend it as a venue.
It was a trip down memory lane for me as this was the area where I was born and I grew up on the Fylde Coast. I recalled happy Sunday afternoons feeding the ducks at Wrea Green village and was just sad that the timing was wrong to have some of my all-time favourite Bonds of Elswick ice cream. I was told it is still available! 40 years on and I can still taste it! Mmmm! http://www.bondsofelswick.co.uk/BsetRetail.htm
One special thing about the evening for me was meeting a lady who had read my book around 5 years ago when she was in the throws of extreme postnatal illness. She contacted to me some time later to say how it had given her hope and her family. Her daughter is now 5 and although we have emailed over the last few years we had never met until last night! I feel humbled and priviledged to help people but her story also inspires me to keep on doing what I do.
I was also thrilled to have two other trustees (I am one) of a new Foundation for maternal mental health in my audience. It was the first time they had heard me speak! Watch this space on the Foundation ....
I am always impressed by the dedication of the professionals attending these sessions. They are there because they care about the families they are dealing with. However, in chatting to some of them I was told that in some areas their postnatal support groups are being the first things being 'cut'. This is both shocking and very, very short-sighted as in the long run untreated and unsupported postnatal illness can lead to years of mental ill-health for members of the family; relationship breakdown; child protection issues and in extreme cases - deaths. If this is happening (cuts) in your area please can you let me know?
Another situation which I uncovered was that experienced and dedicated midwives DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE WYTHENSHAWE MOTHER AND BABY UNIT!!!! This is a specialist unit on their doorstep and delivers excellent care. They admitted that if a lady presented with puerperal psychosis that they would not know whom to refer her to and because they are rushed off their feet, often they are even wary of asking how a newly delivered mother is feeling because if she answers negatively they haven't the time to do anything about it or how to help! I do not blame the midwives at all but 'the system' that is squeezing them so tightly. I have heard from many midwives who love their job but the pressures and reality that they are unable to be there for women as they should be is making them leave the profession. This is another scandal that has to be stopped. Is it going to take the deaths of mothers and their babies before anything is done?
I am currently part of a group looking at improving maternal and infant mental health in the North West of England. I will do my utmost to represent the families in that area (and beyond) but I need to know some more details of what is or isn't happening out there and what you would like. Please leave comments here or email me at elaine@hanzak.com
Safe to assume I am angry and very, very concerned.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Postnatal Depression Awareness Week - spread the word!
I have just received this message from Australia:-
During Postnatal Depression Awareness Week (14 - 20 November), beyondblue: the national depression initiative launched the Just Speak Up Campaign – a new awareness campaign aimed at pregnant women, new mothers, their partners and families.
Postnatal depression affects one in seven new mothers and up to one in 10 pregnant women experiences antenatal depression. Anxiety is likely to be even more common.
The Just Speak Up Campaign is the culmination of years of beyondblue research and evidence-gathering on the rates and risk factors associated with pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety – and the impact of not seeking help.
The campaign features TV, radio and print ads in which real people (not actors) talk candidly about their experiences of pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety, and how they got help. There is also a new website www.justspeakup.com.au where their personal stories can be watched and people can upload their own stories.
There are many ways you can support the campaign:
www.hanzak.com
During Postnatal Depression Awareness Week (14 - 20 November), beyondblue: the national depression initiative launched the Just Speak Up Campaign – a new awareness campaign aimed at pregnant women, new mothers, their partners and families.
Postnatal depression affects one in seven new mothers and up to one in 10 pregnant women experiences antenatal depression. Anxiety is likely to be even more common.
The Just Speak Up Campaign is the culmination of years of beyondblue research and evidence-gathering on the rates and risk factors associated with pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety – and the impact of not seeking help.
The campaign features TV, radio and print ads in which real people (not actors) talk candidly about their experiences of pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety, and how they got help. There is also a new website www.justspeakup.com.au where their personal stories can be watched and people can upload their own stories.
There are many ways you can support the campaign:
- Encourage your friends, family members and partner organisations to visit www.justspeakup.com.au and find out more about pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety.
- Order and display free campaign posters and materials from www.beyondblue.org.au/resources.
- Upload an image to your Facebook profile, website or intranet at http://justspeakup.com.au/spread_the_word and link to www.justspeakup.com.au
- Host a Just Speak Up display or banner ad on your website (email bb@beyondblue.org.au with a request for the web ads and specifications).
- Post an article on your website, intranet or include in newsletters (email bb@beyondblue.org.au to request a Just Speak Up newsletter article)
- Donate advertising space in your publications (email bb@beyondblue.org.au with the specifications, deadline and a request for the print ad file).
www.hanzak.com
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
'Just' Postnatal depression?
I'd like to share my day with you, if I may.
It started peacefully at my parents and I got myself ready to go to speak to 'Homestart' volunteers at St. Helen's - one of my regular sessions. Like many people I was then confronted by a frozen car; put my bags in the boot but then couldn't open the door! Last night I hadn't closed it properly and the damp air and ice rendered it immovable from the outside. Oh no! Dad wasn't around so I only had one option - crawl in via the boot!!! I smiled at the thought that if this had happened when I was suffering from 'just' postnatal depression, as some would say, I would have sobbed my heart out, punched the car or worse still. This morning I was just glad that I was wearing dark trousers and not a short skirt, clambered across the back seats and managed to push the door open, hoping no-one had witnessed my unladylike actions. Success. But then the ice wasn't clearing. No de-icer. Back in the house to get Mum and Dad's car keys - none in their car either. In getting their keys I walked muddy footprints on the hall floor. Aargh! By this time the windows were clearing and as I had allowed extra time I wasn't in a panic. As I drove to St. Helens I reflected on these minor annoyances and again acknowledged that with a healthy mind and body you just take them in your stride. But for anyone suffering with 'just' a mental health problem these events could actually tip them over the edge. How do you cope with such things?
In years gone by I possibly would also have been convinced that a day that started so 'badly' would then go from bad to worse - I'd probably get stuck in traffic; the IT for my talk would fail; I would be late for my next meeting , etc. etc. In expecting the worse, it often happens. Instead I chose to laugh it off and decide that it could only get better - and it did. When did you allow a bad day to get worse?
I love speaking to Homestart volunteers. http://www.home-start.org.uk/homepage Through a network of nearly 16,000 trained parent volunteers we support thousands of parents who are struggling to cope. Our families need support for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, the illness of a parent or child, or social isolation. Parents supporting other parents - to help build a family's confidence and ability to cope.
Today was no exception. One of the group actually had a daughter who went to school with Dom when he was little! Thank you to those who were brave and open to share some of their stories too. I hope I showed via my story that it's far from 'just' postnatal depression, but how severe the effects can be and the legacy it can leave behind.
Last night I caught up with a good friend of mine and it turned out that the company that she works for has just opened up an office in the exact building I was delivering to Homestart! So I called in to say a quick hello to 'Home Instead' - Home Instead Senior Care provides award-winning home care to elderly people, allowing them to stay in their homes for as long as possible. http://www.homeinstead.co.uk/Index.do
My Grandma suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and I know the impact that has on everyone concerned. I hope to meet up with them again soon.
From there I went to meet a wonderful lady called Sharon Hanner, who is part of 'A Quiet Place', which provides evidence based, personal development programmes, supporting the achievement of unique outcomes for all ages and abilities. http://www.aquietplace.co.uk/ . A mutual friend, the amazing speaker Molly Harvey, http://www.mollyharvey.com/, had suggested we meet. I am so pleased we did - thank you Molly! Sharon has kindly given me some of her materials - watch this space and I will tell you more!
We met up at Nugent House school, where I had the pleasure of seeing first-hand a couple of 'A quiet place' rooms. http://www.nugent.wigan.sch.uk/ Nugent House School is part of Nugent Care, which is a multi-service agency, and one of the North West’s leading charities, caring for children, disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages. As a teacher for children with severe and profound learning difficulties my passion was around a multi-sensory curriculum. Now I suggest ways to improve and maintain good mental health is by appealing to and gratifying our senses. So this area is right up my street! I will report back more on these in the months ahead.
From there I met up with my little sis and gorgeous niece Sophie at M & S in Widnes
Then it was time for me to spend the evening with Dom. Since the divorce we try to see as much as possible of each other but I also really, really appreciate our time together even more. He is currently nursing an injury so I am in my element being able to 'fuss him' - as much as any 14 year old boy will allow! After taking him home I am now back at my parents reflecting on an amazing day, appreciating the wonderful people I have met and wondering what, if anything, it will all lead to.
Then I caught up with Facebook and received the link to this sad, sad, story.
It started peacefully at my parents and I got myself ready to go to speak to 'Homestart' volunteers at St. Helen's - one of my regular sessions. Like many people I was then confronted by a frozen car; put my bags in the boot but then couldn't open the door! Last night I hadn't closed it properly and the damp air and ice rendered it immovable from the outside. Oh no! Dad wasn't around so I only had one option - crawl in via the boot!!! I smiled at the thought that if this had happened when I was suffering from 'just' postnatal depression, as some would say, I would have sobbed my heart out, punched the car or worse still. This morning I was just glad that I was wearing dark trousers and not a short skirt, clambered across the back seats and managed to push the door open, hoping no-one had witnessed my unladylike actions. Success. But then the ice wasn't clearing. No de-icer. Back in the house to get Mum and Dad's car keys - none in their car either. In getting their keys I walked muddy footprints on the hall floor. Aargh! By this time the windows were clearing and as I had allowed extra time I wasn't in a panic. As I drove to St. Helens I reflected on these minor annoyances and again acknowledged that with a healthy mind and body you just take them in your stride. But for anyone suffering with 'just' a mental health problem these events could actually tip them over the edge. How do you cope with such things?
In years gone by I possibly would also have been convinced that a day that started so 'badly' would then go from bad to worse - I'd probably get stuck in traffic; the IT for my talk would fail; I would be late for my next meeting , etc. etc. In expecting the worse, it often happens. Instead I chose to laugh it off and decide that it could only get better - and it did. When did you allow a bad day to get worse?
I love speaking to Homestart volunteers. http://www.home-start.org.uk/homepage Through a network of nearly 16,000 trained parent volunteers we support thousands of parents who are struggling to cope. Our families need support for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, the illness of a parent or child, or social isolation. Parents supporting other parents - to help build a family's confidence and ability to cope.
Today was no exception. One of the group actually had a daughter who went to school with Dom when he was little! Thank you to those who were brave and open to share some of their stories too. I hope I showed via my story that it's far from 'just' postnatal depression, but how severe the effects can be and the legacy it can leave behind.
Last night I caught up with a good friend of mine and it turned out that the company that she works for has just opened up an office in the exact building I was delivering to Homestart! So I called in to say a quick hello to 'Home Instead' - Home Instead Senior Care provides award-winning home care to elderly people, allowing them to stay in their homes for as long as possible. http://www.homeinstead.co.uk/Index.do
My Grandma suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and I know the impact that has on everyone concerned. I hope to meet up with them again soon.
From there I went to meet a wonderful lady called Sharon Hanner, who is part of 'A Quiet Place', which provides evidence based, personal development programmes, supporting the achievement of unique outcomes for all ages and abilities. http://www.aquietplace.co.uk/ . A mutual friend, the amazing speaker Molly Harvey, http://www.mollyharvey.com/, had suggested we meet. I am so pleased we did - thank you Molly! Sharon has kindly given me some of her materials - watch this space and I will tell you more!
We met up at Nugent House school, where I had the pleasure of seeing first-hand a couple of 'A quiet place' rooms. http://www.nugent.wigan.sch.uk/ Nugent House School is part of Nugent Care, which is a multi-service agency, and one of the North West’s leading charities, caring for children, disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages. As a teacher for children with severe and profound learning difficulties my passion was around a multi-sensory curriculum. Now I suggest ways to improve and maintain good mental health is by appealing to and gratifying our senses. So this area is right up my street! I will report back more on these in the months ahead.
From there I met up with my little sis and gorgeous niece Sophie at M & S in Widnes
Then it was time for me to spend the evening with Dom. Since the divorce we try to see as much as possible of each other but I also really, really appreciate our time together even more. He is currently nursing an injury so I am in my element being able to 'fuss him' - as much as any 14 year old boy will allow! After taking him home I am now back at my parents reflecting on an amazing day, appreciating the wonderful people I have met and wondering what, if anything, it will all lead to.
Then I caught up with Facebook and received the link to this sad, sad, story.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Northwest Perinatal Mental Health Network 1st December
If you are a health professional you may be interested in attending this session:-
NORTHWEST PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
Quarterly Educational Meeting Wednesday 1st December 2010, 09.30-12.30
The Education Resource Centre (ERC), Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT
“Bonding with Baby: a pilot parent/infant intervention in Liverpool”
Dr Jenny Davies, Clinical Psychologist, Working Together, Alder Hey (CAMHS).
“Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome”
Dr Lydia Bowden, Consultant Paediatrician, Wythenshawe Hospital.
“Case presentation and discussion”
Andersen Mother and Baby Unit, Wythenshawe Hospital
Speaker to be announced
These are multidisciplinary meetings. We welcome attendance from all professionals with an interest in the care of women experiencing mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The meeting is free.
If you would like to attend please reply to:
Miss Donna Jones, Secretary to Dr Angelika Wieck
Email: Donna.Jones@mhsc.nhs.uk Telephone: 0161 2916930
These meetings are also a good opportunity to network with other interested people.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
NORTHWEST PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
Quarterly Educational Meeting Wednesday 1st December 2010, 09.30-12.30
The Education Resource Centre (ERC), Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT
“Bonding with Baby: a pilot parent/infant intervention in Liverpool”
Dr Jenny Davies, Clinical Psychologist, Working Together, Alder Hey (CAMHS).
“Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome”
Dr Lydia Bowden, Consultant Paediatrician, Wythenshawe Hospital.
“Case presentation and discussion”
Andersen Mother and Baby Unit, Wythenshawe Hospital
Speaker to be announced
These are multidisciplinary meetings. We welcome attendance from all professionals with an interest in the care of women experiencing mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The meeting is free.
If you would like to attend please reply to:
Miss Donna Jones, Secretary to Dr Angelika Wieck
Email: Donna.Jones@mhsc.nhs.uk Telephone: 0161 2916930
These meetings are also a good opportunity to network with other interested people.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Friday, 12 November 2010
Congratulations to the Wellbeing Project
Earlier this year Ann Girling and I were pleased to deliver a couple of day workshops for antenatal education to mothers in the Halton and St. Helens areas of the NW of England as part of the Wellbeing Project.
http://elainehanzak.blogspot.com/2010/05/launch-of-antenatal-sessions-for.html
The Wellbeing Project Community Interest Company was set up in 2006 in Halton and St Helens. They provide a range of community based activities for everyone who would like to improve their mental wellbeing. www.wellbeingproject.co.uk
Here is the press release about their awards!
NHS North West Trust triumph at regional award ceremony
The success of the NHS Halton and St Helens Wellbeing Project was recognised at this years Health and Social Care Awards, which took place online on Thursday 14th October. The Wellbeing Project CIC came top of the Mental Health and Wellbeing category, with its innovative ‘Ignite Your Life!’ community resilience programme.The unique scheme equips the general public and people working in the customer service professions with the skills to support their neighbours and colleagues experiencing low level mental health issues. It has invited the general public to a number of events that teach people useful and practical skills and techniques to stay resilient during difficult times and educates people about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems like depression and anxiety and how and when to seek help.
The scheme, which is co-directed by Dr Laura Pogue and Paula Gamester, also teaches people about the simple things anybody can do to improve their mental wellbeing, with a focus on the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ informed by the Foresight’s Report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing.
The excellent work carried out by the Wellbeing Project will now gain some well-deserved recognition for their hard work at the national Health and Social Care Awards at a ceremony on 18th November, after being selected by the national panel of judges.
Commenting on the standards set this year, Dean Royles, NHS North West Director of Workforce and HR said, ‘The regional awards highlight and celebrate the excellent and innovative work of teams from PCTs, trusts and voluntary and third sector teams across the region, who have made a big difference to the lives of the people they care for. We were really impressed with the project and how it has real impact on the quality of people’s lives and drives meaningful improvements in people’s mental health and wellbeing.’
Mark Swift, Founder and Programme Manager for the Wellbeing Project said ‘The Ignite Your Life' Community Resilience Programme 'teaches every day people the practical skills to stay strong during difficult times.’
‘The programme places emphasis on the innate skills and talents of individuals, and the assets within our communities and the ways in which we can mobilise these to improve the quality of people's lives.’
‘We are delighted that the scheme has been selected to go on to be recognised at a national level and that we have been given the opportunity to have our hard work celebrated at such a prestigious event.’
For more information about the scheme please contact Mark Swift, Programme Manager, Wellbeing Project T: 01744 26444 E: m.swift@wellbeingproject.co.uk
For more information about the Health and Social Care Awards 2010 please visit http://hscnhsnorthwest.wordpress.com/
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
http://elainehanzak.blogspot.com/2010/05/launch-of-antenatal-sessions-for.html
The Wellbeing Project Community Interest Company was set up in 2006 in Halton and St Helens. They provide a range of community based activities for everyone who would like to improve their mental wellbeing. www.wellbeingproject.co.uk
Here is the press release about their awards!
NHS North West Trust triumph at regional award ceremony
The success of the NHS Halton and St Helens Wellbeing Project was recognised at this years Health and Social Care Awards, which took place online on Thursday 14th October. The Wellbeing Project CIC came top of the Mental Health and Wellbeing category, with its innovative ‘Ignite Your Life!’ community resilience programme.The unique scheme equips the general public and people working in the customer service professions with the skills to support their neighbours and colleagues experiencing low level mental health issues. It has invited the general public to a number of events that teach people useful and practical skills and techniques to stay resilient during difficult times and educates people about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems like depression and anxiety and how and when to seek help.
The scheme, which is co-directed by Dr Laura Pogue and Paula Gamester, also teaches people about the simple things anybody can do to improve their mental wellbeing, with a focus on the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ informed by the Foresight’s Report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing.
The excellent work carried out by the Wellbeing Project will now gain some well-deserved recognition for their hard work at the national Health and Social Care Awards at a ceremony on 18th November, after being selected by the national panel of judges.
Commenting on the standards set this year, Dean Royles, NHS North West Director of Workforce and HR said, ‘The regional awards highlight and celebrate the excellent and innovative work of teams from PCTs, trusts and voluntary and third sector teams across the region, who have made a big difference to the lives of the people they care for. We were really impressed with the project and how it has real impact on the quality of people’s lives and drives meaningful improvements in people’s mental health and wellbeing.’
Mark Swift, Founder and Programme Manager for the Wellbeing Project said ‘The Ignite Your Life' Community Resilience Programme 'teaches every day people the practical skills to stay strong during difficult times.’
‘The programme places emphasis on the innate skills and talents of individuals, and the assets within our communities and the ways in which we can mobilise these to improve the quality of people's lives.’
‘We are delighted that the scheme has been selected to go on to be recognised at a national level and that we have been given the opportunity to have our hard work celebrated at such a prestigious event.’
For more information about the scheme please contact Mark Swift, Programme Manager, Wellbeing Project T: 01744 26444 E: m.swift@wellbeingproject.co.uk
For more information about the Health and Social Care Awards 2010 please visit http://hscnhsnorthwest.wordpress.com/
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
10 Biggest Pregnancy Myths Debunked
As a pregnant lady I remember devouring all the magazines, books, articles about the 'do's and don'ts' around pregnancy and the birth. I got caught up in the 'better not', 'can't, mustn't, won't' world of caution and probably was a doom merchant in the process! My desire for everything to be perfect and for me to be the perfect mother during the pregnancy and beyond was massive. Maybe this added to the postnatal depression that developed? Was part of it because the reality didn't match my expectations? Maybe regardless of all the caution and urge to 'do the right thing' backfired? I am not saying that you should throw caution to the wind and just be reckless and impulsive, but maybe a more relaxed approach might be better for everyone? Be kinder to yourself.
You may find this blog at Nursingschools.net interesting to help ease some worries.
http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/11/10-biggest-pregnancy-myths-debunked/
I think we are pushed towards being prepared for the birth but very little to prepare for the huge emotional changes that happen.
I know I have mentioned this book before but I loved it! Lynn Bertrams' 'Supporting Postnatal Women in Early Motherhood' http://www.amazon.co.uk/Supporting-Postnatal-Women-into-Motherhood/dp/1857757335 has some great ideas for topics and discussions to help new mothers acknowledge some of these changes.
Meanwhile I am excited at being Auntie tomorrow night to Sophie, now 8 months, and babysitting whilst her parents and mine go to see 'Blood Brothers' at Liverpool. Those of you who have read my book will realise the significance of this! Sophie is now at the age Dominic was when I was so ill. Spending time with her and seeing that delightful bond she has with her mother is bitter sweet for me because I am thrilled for them but it saddens me that I missed out on the magic of that stage.
It also keeps the fire and passion in me to continue to make early parenthood happier for others.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
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