I had post-natal depression after my first child and was prescribed anti-depressants by my GP. They took a while, but eventually started working. During this time my mum booked me an aromatherapy session while she looked after the baby. It was so relaxing that afterwards I bought some aromatherapy oils from The Body Shop (£3.50 each) to have at home.
Anna Botts, 42, Edgware, Middlesex
I have had post-natal depression twice (I have three children) and was constantly told that it was essential to get some time for 'myself'. The problem is that my husband is in the army and away a lot of the time, and I also live about 400 miles away from family. I got very angry with people who assumed there was someone on hand to give me a break! A lot of my friends had young children and absent partners too, so I felt I couldn't turn to them too much either. There is no miracle cure, but thankfully I had a great health visitor who told me about an internet support group. The fact that I could email my 'buddy' (assigned to me by the group) often made a huge difference and stopped me from becoming isolated.
Sandra Frame, 36, Bicester, Oxfordshire
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