This book fills the gap in knowledge of cultural and social issues relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. The book is based on a study which explored how women and their partners in Melbourne, Australia, understood and resolved postnatal depression (PND). The central argument was the significance of support before and after the birth for women's emotional well-being. Thirty-three women who experienced PND were individually interviewed, and eighteen partners were either individually interviewed or attended a focus group. Women were asked to draw their experience of PND and its resolution; these drawings were powerful representations of their lived experience and are included in this book. The book highlights the struggles women faced and the amount of support they received from health professionals, family and friends before and after the birth. The partners provided valuable insights about the support they provided to women, their understanding of PND, as well as their own emotional well-being after the birth.

Preface - 1.Introduction: From pregnancy to resolution from Postnatal depression - 2. Detection of postnatal depression - 3. Biopsychosocial theories and treatment options for postnatal depression - 4. "Kept in the dark": Childhood, pregnancy and childbirth experiences.- 5. Mothering alone: The adjustment to motherhood. - 6. "Postnatal": Trapped, alone in the dark -Womens's experiences of postnatal depression and drawings - 7. Living with uncertainty: The partner's experiences of Post natal depression- 8. Journeys to resolution - Postscript - Glossary of terms - References - Profiles and demographics of participants -Resources- Index.