24 | I Thought I'd Never Feel Normal Again | Aine | Recovering from Postnatal Depression After a Traumatic Birth

I thought I'd never feel normal again.

After a traumatic premature birth and weeks spent in NICU, Aine believed she was simply struggling to adjust to motherhood. As the weeks passed, the darkness grew deeper.

Aine is now the founder of KYNDR, a clothing brand supporting conversations around perinatal mental health. Use code AWAKEAT3AM for 15% off, and follow @kyndrthelabel to see what she's building. You can also follow @awakeat3am.podcast and @sophiassleepschool for more on all things baby sleep.

She became isolated, convinced she would never feel like herself again, and too afraid to take the antidepressants that had been prescribed. In this deeply honest conversation, Aine shares what postnatal depression really felt like, why it took her two months to ask for help, how medication helped her recover, and the guilt, grief and loneliness that followed becoming a mum.

Today, she's using her experience to help other parents realise they are never alone. If you've ever felt like you've lost yourself in motherhood, this episode is a reminder that recovery is possible.

In this episode we discuss:

• Postnatal depression (PND)
• Postpartum anxiety
• Traumatic birth
• Premature birth and NICU
• Maternal mental health
• Antidepressants in the postpartum period
• Recovery after postnatal depression
• Preparing for pregnancy after trauma
• Supporting parents through perinatal mental health

Use code AWAKEAT3AM for 15% off at KYNDR, and follow along for new episodes every week. ...These conversations could save a life!