New Project Idea

I have been looking again at the Tennison images . It made me wonder about the feelings and expression of the mother with child and how pictures of this subject are almost always portrayed with this loving happy bond.The bland expression could however signify so much more.

Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression affects 1-8 women.The world is full of photographs of women bonding with their babies .Mothers with their new offspring wrapped in the warmth of their arms gaze lovingly at the fruit of their loins. There is this massive build-up of expectation in pregnancy with this creation of a new life.It is  usually regarded as an incredible joyous time,everyone looking forward to the actual birth with great excitement. There is lots of talk about 'ultimate fullfillment 'as a mother.

'When this does not occur naturally women can experience feelings of deep shame and isolation at a time when they are needed most both physically and emotionally.'
A Hanzak, Eyes without a Sparkle


Lack of Bonding
Most new mothers experience exhaustion , tearfulness , and an inability to cope in the first few weeks of parenting. However , if this is severe and continues after this point it can be a symptom of something more sinister.
Postnatal depression can manifest itself in many different forms including apathy , mental and physical fatigue , irratibility ,violent and distructive thoughts or even actions and feelings of isolation.

Postpartum depression can severely disrupt the bonding between mother and offspring and as a result can result in feelings of detachment and apathy towards the child. There is a loss of confidence and with this a desire to withdraw from their surroundings , to avoid contact ,even with the child.

Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy,Regina Lederman
Case history

'There was a feeling of being detached from everyone and everything around me.It is like living in a bubble.I'm near things yet far away.'