Postnatal depression books & resources

The following is a list of recommended books and resources about postnatal depression. The Location(s) available column shows where these books are available, eg, from your local Christchurch City Library (CCL) and/or from the Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (MHERC).

Books can be reserved online and checked out by visiting CCL or MHERC. If a book is not available, a librarian may be able to suggest another book or place a hold on a book. To borrow or place a hold on a book, you must be a member of the library. MHERC can post books and other resources out to its users, including those living in rural areas, and will include a post-paid bag for returning books. Once read, books need to be returned to the library.

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Cover

Title & Author

Description

Year

Location(s) available

Coping with Postnatal Depression

By Sandra Wheatley

Year: 2006

Subject: Sufferers and their families

This book is aimed at those suffering from postnatal depression, and their families. Contents: ·Symptoms ·Causes ·Treatment, including drug and talking therapies ·Staying well, including emotional support, relaxation, complementary therapies ·Other worries including how depression affects the baby and other children, work worries, relationship issues.

2006

Location

CCL

MHERC

Overcoming Baby Blues: a comprehensive guide to perinatal depression

By Gordon Parker

Year: 2014

Subject: Personal journeys

This book shares intimate stories of mothers’ experiences with depression and other mood problems during pregnancy and their baby’s first year. The stories shine with wisdom, humor, and fortitude. Also included are research-based guidelines on assessing moods, causes of perinatal depression, and effective management strategies. Safety of medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding is covered, as are suggestions for adapting diet and lifestyle to reduce symptoms, and advice for partners.

2014

Location

CCL

MHERC

Mother’s Cry Too

By Sandra Weeks

Year: 2013

Subject: New mothers and their partners

Mothers Cry Too offers guidance for new mothers, and their partners and families, on how to cope with the demands of a new baby and manage symptoms of depression, anxiety and other postnatal psychiatric conditions. Dr Weeks demystifies one of the most common complications of childbirth, while sharing case studies based on real stories and helpful hints on everything from exercise and diet to managing stress.

2013

Location

CCL

Daddy Blues

By Mark Williams

(SL only)

Year: 2018

Subject: Fathers experiencing Post Natal Depression

When Mark’s wife experiences Post Natal Depression Mark too felt as though he had lost something, succumbing to feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. He had never heard of fathers going through postnatal depression, but with a baby that wouldn’t stop crying and a wife he could no longer connect with, he felt like he was losing himself more and more each day. A touching story from a rarely explored perspective, Baby Blues tells the tale of a man learning to deal with a problem he never knew he could have.

2018

Location

CCL

Beyond the Baby Blues

By Rebecca Fox Starr

Year: 2018

Subject: Perinatal Depression

Most people have heard of post-partum depression. What many people do not know is that anxiety and depression can be experienced during pregnancy, as well, and the impact can be both debilitating and devastating. This book is a unique combination of one woman’s story of her struggle with perinatal distress and actionable advice from a professional in the field.

2018

Location

CCL