Silent suffering of depressed mums

Having a baby often causes feelings of anxiety

Help and advice

Postnatal depression affects at least one in ten women.

It can range from the so-called baby blues to the inability to look after their baby, hatred of the baby, and even to suicide.

Yet if it is identified and treated, the vast majority of sufferers make a full recovery.

But Real Story has discovered that many mothers are not getting support because they are frightened to tell health visitors and doctors about their condition.

They are worried that if they admit to needing help they could be judged unable to cope and have their babies taken away.

Silent suffering of depressed mums

One woman, whose depression had made her suicidal, claims that social services told her "you'd better get better or your baby will be adopted."

And a psychiatrist tells us of his fight for more specialist mental health services for the women who need them.

"A lot of mothers in Britain are getting less than the best treatment," says Professor Ian Brockington.

"And as a result of that I think a lot of them will lose their babies."

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Real Story with Fiona Bruce: Monday 28th November at 1930 GMT on BBC One.

Unfortunately, this edition of Real Story is not available to watch on the website because of copyright issues. We're unable to provide viewers with tapes for the same reason.