Photo: supplied/ Kirsty Stone
When Sinead Corcoran Dye became pregnant, everyone told her how great it she would feel as a new mum: exhausted, yes, but euphoric. But after a difficult pregnancy, where she was hospitalised several times with hyperemesis, when her daughter Vivie arrived by caesarean section, there was no euphoria.
And when her baby was nine days old, Sinead was admitted to the Mother & Baby Unit at Starship Hospital in the grips of severe postnatal depression. Vivie is now two, and Sinead has written a book about her experience of that time- called It Nearly Killed Me But I Love You. She's the founder of MumSOS, a nationwide community group that connects mums who are struggling without support and also ambassador for Nappkin, a charity, which offers funding for night nannies for new parents in distress.
If you need help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Mothers Helpers: 0800 002 717.
Mothers' Helpers is a charity that provides support and services to women who are at-risk of or have developed postnatal depression.
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa: 04 4616318. PADA was formerly the Perinatal Mental Health New Zealand Trust (PMHNZ). PADA aims to champion awareness and facilitate best practice in perinatal mental health and wellbeing to ensure all families have access to appropriate information and support.
Post Natal Distress Support Network Trust: 09 8464978.
Free support services for women throughout the greater Auckland area who are experiencing baby blues, antenatal and postnatal distress, anxiety, stress, birth trauma and postnatal depression. Includes support groups, telephone support, drop-in support and training about postnatal distress for health professionals.
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Grandfriends: https://www.grandfriends.nz
