When Fletcher's Emma Britton suffered a severe injury during the birth of her first child, it worsened the mental distress she'd felt while pregnant. Login or signup to continue reading She came to realise she was suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety. The condition affects one in five new mothers and one in 10 new fathers.
Mrs Britton, 39, is sharing her story to mark Perinatal Mental Health Week. "Reflecting now over the last 10 years, I probably had prenatal anxiety as well," she said. "I was very stressed and anxious throughout the pregnancy.
I had a horrible pregnancy." It took her and husband Tim three years to conceive Oliver, now aged 10, due to infertility issues. The injury she sustained during Oliver's birth took a toll.
During his birth, she suffered a "fourth-degree tear". "It was 12 months for the main injury to recover," she said. "I'm still recovering now.
I'm having to go for more surgery in the new year." After that ordeal, doctors told her more natural births would risk her needing a colostomy bag. She had a caesarean section for her other two sons.
"My middle child Elliott was an IVF baby. I was told my fallopian tubes were completely blocked and there was no way I could conceive naturally," she said. "It took four rounds of IVF to conceive him when I was 32.
"My third son Rory was a complete surprise." He was conceived naturally, despite her being told this was not possible. "I just laugh at it now because of everything we've gone through," she .