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My mum's story - PND in the 60s & 70s: NINA SPILSTED
Episode 1528th March 2022 • BLUE MUMDAYS • Vikki Stephenson
00:00:00 01:03:38

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MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: My mum is a warrior - she has not had an easy life. From an early career as an Astronomer Royal's Personal Computer at Herstmonceux, mum had to give this up to follow my dad's job. After multiple miscarriages she experienced pre-eclampsia, a traumatic birth and PTSD with my brother Graham. His disability wasn't properly diagnosed until he was 37.

I came along 2 and a half years later and mum suffered postnatal depression for the second time - an illness that received no support or understanding back then. The family moved to rural Scotland when I was 4, where she nursed me throughout my childhood with life-threatening asthma and a rare blood disorder. She also nursed my brother through teenage lymph cancer and my dad through multiple heart attacks.

Mum was prescribed arsenic by her family GP as a child, which left her with life-long skin cancer - she's had over 60 surgeries and counting. She survived breast cancer in her '50s and developed end stage kidney failure in her '70s. Despite chronic pain and poor health, Nina is still remarkably strong, very kind and extremely loving. It's an honour to call her my mum.


This conversation, recorded a few months ago, was the first time we really talked about her own experience of PND. She's a very private person, so I am endlessly grateful for her going back to revisit those dark times in the hopes of helping others.


Since this was recorded, my brother has had a very serious heart attack. Thanks to the quick actions of both my mum and the ambulance service, he survived and is now recovering well. I'd like to dedicate this episode to him.


*TRIGGER WARNING: MISCARRIAGE, BIRTH TRAUMA AND A BRIEF MENTION OF STILLBIRTH*


IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[00:00] Teaser quote.

[01:15] Introduction to Nina Spilsted - my lovely mum!

[03:17] The lack of knowledge and support for PND in the 1960s and 70s.

[03:42] 3 miscarriages and then pregnant with Graham. Enforced rest and a very clinical approach, unsmiling approach in hospital. Pre-eclampsia and bed rest.

[04:40] Induced then a 27 hour labour. Feelings of trauma.

[05:33] No support for her multiple baby losses - expectation to 'carry on as normal'. Feelings of failure - "why can't I have a baby?"

[07:24] Bed rest and monitoring of the baby. Ignorance about birth and babies. Lack of family support and no baby groups.

[08:37] Sent to a cottage hospital after the birth, for recuperation. Lack of information on discharge - "I didn't know what a health visitor was". Lack of support from her own mum - "nothing was ever discussed".

[10:04] Graham's birth - trauma. Feelings of fear and loneliness.

[11:39] Difficulty bonding with him at first.

[12:59] Total exhaustion and overwhelm. Lack of the 'euphoric' moment when Graham arrived.

[14:39] Going home with her baby - struggles. Lack of support from her mother and husband.

[15:59] Difficulty breastfeeding - feelings of guilt and failure.

[18:57] The need to be kind to yourself as a mother.

[20:10] Realising she needed help. Sheer exhaustion - holding down a job as well as being a new mum.

[21:42] Medicated by the doctor - not being able to remember much of that period. No knowledge of postnatal depression.

[24:26] Suspicions that Graham may not be developing as he should be.

[27:59] Another baby loss then pregnant with me. Flashbacks from Graham's traumatic birth caused great anxiety.

[30:37] PND, great anxiety and the grief of losing another baby in between.

[33:07] Pre-eclampsia for the second time and mum's experience of my birth.

[37:32] Retreating into herself - feelings of agrophobia.

[39:31] Finding a 'bonus for the day'. Gradual recovery.

[41:05] Looking back at the experience. Trying not to anticipate trouble or worrying about things. Appreciating every day she has.

[45:50] Finding out I was pregnant with mum's first and only grandson! Losing my first pregnancy early on. Stanley's early arrival!

[49:44] Recognising PND symptoms in me. Helping me get support.

[55:01] The importance of kind words.

[56:23] Lack of family support.

[57:29] Not talking to friends about what she was experiencing.

[01:01:47] Motherhood is the most important job in the world. So why is it so undervalued?


KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Kind words can really make a difference. So if you see someone struggling, a smile or compassion could help. And if you ask them if they are okay, ask them twice - the second time you might get an honest answer.
  2. It is so important you are kind to yourself - a happy mum means a happy baby. You can't look after others if you can't look after yourself first. If you struggle with this, I hope these episodes are helpful: The Self Compassion episode (part 1), The Self Compassion episode (part 2) and the Loving Kindness Meditation (specially created for Blue MumDays listeners).
  3. Finding a 'bonus for the day' can be helpful - something to lift your spirits, whether it's a lovely cup of coffee, a beautiful flower or a gorgeous blue sky. Something to hang onto and give you hope.
  4. You are not the only one in the world feeling like this and you will not feel like this forever.
  5. Families are more separate in modern life, so many don't have family support at hand.


If you enjoyed this episode, please share, rate and subscribe. It really does make the difference in helping others find it – which means helping more parents in need.


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Email: bluemumdays@gmail.com

 

NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE:

In Episode 16 I talk to the fabulous AJ Silver of The Queer Birth Club, born of the necessity to fill the void of LGBT+ inclusion in the birth world. We talk about their birth experience and work as a birth and postnatal doula.


SUPPORT:

If you are struggling right now, please know that it’s okay to talk and reach out for help. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND WILL NOT FEEL THIS WAY FOR EVER. 

We hope these support services are helpful (please note we do not check or monitor them individually).

 

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)

Moderated Forum, click here to find out more.

Email: app@app-network.org

Tel: 020 3322 9900

 

Andy's Man Club

A non-judgemental talking group for men

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/club-information/clubs/

Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk

Association of Postnatal Illness

Helpline: 10am – 2pm – 0207 386 0868

Email: info@apni.org

Live chat online facility

 

Best Beginnings

Free NHS-accredited Baby Buddy app offering

evidence-based information and self-care tools to help parents during pregnancy

and early stages of parenting.

App users also have access to a confidential, text-based Crisis Messenger which provides

24/7 support for new and expectant parents who are feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed.


Bi-Polar UK

email: info@bipolaruk.org


Birth Trauma Association

Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

 

CALM

Contact CALM

on their national helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight)

 

Cedar House Support Group

Email: lwise@talktalk.net (Liz Wise)

Mobile: 07773 283556


Contact: for families with disabled children

Support, advice and information for parents with disabled children.

 


DadsNet 

Offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.


Family Lives

An organisation providing immediate help from volunteer parent support workers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Family Rights Group

Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services.

 


Fathers Reaching Out

https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/

Run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer, offering support to dads.


FiveXMore

A grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women and birthing people’s maternal health outcomes in the UK.

fivexmore@gmail.com


Gingerbread

Single parents, equal families. Help and advice on the issues that matter to lone parents.


The Hub of Hope

A directory of mental health support around the UK.


Make Birth Better (Birth Trauma Support)

Email: hello@makebirthbetter.org

 

Maternal OCD

Peer support available, email info@maternalocd.org to

arrange


The Motherhood Group

Dedicated to sharing and supporting the black maternal experience through peer support, projects and advocacy.

info@themotherhoodgroup.com

 

Motivational Mums Club

Offering Trauma, Mindfulness and Meditation sessions for Mothers and Mums to be with an NHS Mental Health Specialist, who’s also a Mother.


Music Football Fatherhood

Open conversations around fatherhood, including blogs, peer support and podcasts.

hello@musicfootballfatherhood.com


Muslim Women’s Network

Helpine: 0800 999 5786, open Mon-Fri 10am –

4pm with support offered in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Putwari, Hindko,

and Bengali.

Email: info@mwnhelpline.co.uk

Online chat: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk

Text: 07415 206 936

 

Netmums

Netmums offer peer support via their Maternal Mental Health Drop-In

Clinic.

 

NHS

Contact your local GP surgery.

Call the NHS on 111

or contact a local NHS urgent mental health helpline

If you are in crisis, visit Accident & Emergency at your nearest hospital.

 

PANDAS

Helpline open from 9am-8pm every day – 0843 2898 401

Email support available – info@pandasfoundation.org.uk

 

Petals

Petals offers free-of-charge specialist counselling to anyone who has experienced pregnancy

or baby loss.

Web: petalscharity.org/counsellingcontact/

Email: counselling@petalscharity.org

Tel: 0300 688 0068

 

Samaritans

Tel: 116 123

(this is a free telephone number and will not appear on the phone bill)

Web: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

 

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained Shout volunteer.

 

Twins Trust

Twinline is Twins Trust’s listening service for parents of twins, triplets and more. All

the calls are answered by volunteers who have multiples themselves.

Twinline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm. 0800 138 0509,

alternatively email asktwinline@twinstrust.org.

Web: twinstrust.org/let-us-help/support/twinline.html

 

Tommy’s

Tommy’s has a team of in-house midwives who offer free support and information for women and their families at any stage of pregnancy and after the birth.

Web: www.tommys.org

Helpline: Tommy’s

helpline has been closed temporarily but their midwives are answering questions

via email, FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Email: midwife@tommys.org

 

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