Hannah Hardy-Jones, mental health advocate and CEO of the Kite Program, speaks bravely and honestly about how the traumatic birth of her daughter triggered bi-polar disorder. Instead of falling into depression, Hannah experienced intense highs within the first few days of giving birth on barely any sleep. And then came the devastating low.
*TRIGGER WARNING: BIRTH TRAUMA, BI-POLAR DISORDER*
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[00:00] Teaser quote
[00:46] Introduction to Hannah Hardy-Jones (Part 1)
[02:26] Before pregnancy - career focus and vision boards!
[03:55] The pregnancy itself - trying to make everything perfect
[06:31] Lack of information about the emotional strains of parenting - women aren't prepared
[07:58] Bad morning sickness
[09:07] The birth - being induced and an epidural that only worked on one side
[12:15] Baby in distress - intervention
[16:48] Body shock
[18:12] Not getting that skin-to-skin contact
[18:51] The affect on Hannah's husband Nick
[20:26] After the birth - staying at a birthing unit
[22:58] Starting to feel 'high' - reduced pain, not sleeping
[26:16] Suspicions and secrets
[28:00] Getting assessed - 10 signposts for having a manic episode
[31:22] Visitors made things worse
[32:10] The adult psych team called in - feeling a bit scared and out of control
[34:05] 6 weeks to get a formal diagnosis
[34:56] What goes up must come down -the crushing depression
[37:40] Terrible anxiety and support from carers
[39:35] Cyclical depression caused by reaction to the medication
[40:23] Looking after Alice - a fear of passing on the distress
[41:44] Turning a corner, a fresh start
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Whilst there are plenty of courses offering practical information during pregnancy, there should be more to prepare mums for the emotional strains of motherhood.
- Partners can be affected by birth trauma too and may need support themselves.
- NHS info on Bi-Polar Disorder
- A manic episode can reduce perceived pain intensity or the perceived need for sleep.
- Bi-Polar UK email: info@bipolaruk.org
- The Kite Program app
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Email: bluemumdays@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE:
In Episode 13 we continue our chat with Hannah Hardy-Jones. Hannah talks about adjusting to living with bipolar, having her second child and creating The Kite Program - a personal development app for mothers touted as a world-first.
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
DadsNet
Offers support and knowledge through a community of dads on practical parenting and fatherhood.
Fathers Reaching Out
https://www.reachingoutpmh.co.uk/
Run by Mark Williams, campaigner, speaker and writer, offering support to dads.
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
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, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Email: midwife@tommys.org
MUSIC by Joseph McDade
