PND self soothe boxes

In 2017 , I fell pregnant with my beautiful son. It was a horrific pregnancy, and horrific birth. Everything that I had dealt with over that year leading up to his birth had been put to the back of my mind because all I had to try and do was survive. At seven weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a debilitating illness of excessive vomiting, weight loss, low immune system, and can cause a number of complications for both you and the baby - HG occurs in around 1% of pregnancies. The thought of termination continued to cross my mind numerous times because it was absolute torture what I was going through. At least three hospital visits a week every week, 10kg weight loss, vomiting 30-40 times a day, and a few other complications along the way ending with a 37 week delivery due to IUGR , my son stopped growing because my placenta was not giving him enough nutrients due to how sick I was. After giving birth to him via emergency cescerean, I was in a hospital bubble, nothing really hit me until I came home. My whole world had changed and my mind finally had a chance to catch up on exactly what had happened to me that year. I fell into a dark hole, refused to look after my son, wouldn’t speak to anyone, having panic attacks and wanting to die, all whilst I didn’t know what was happening to me. Fast forward two weeks and I had been admitted to the Monash mother baby psych ward diagnosed with post natal depression and anxiety, which completely saved my life. After seven weeks we were discharged and it was no more than six months later that we were admitted for a second time, this time to Mitcham Private hospital postnatal ward where my life was saved for a second time. Just trying to keep your head above water continually was draining and it felt like it was never going to get easier. This six week hospital admission is where I came across self soothe boxes - designed for mummas doing it tough with beautiful sentimental and helpful items to help pull you out of those dark times - whether it be a block of chocolate, noise cancelling headphones, a candle, a journal, or motivational words - it was the best thing that I needed at the time and helped even when we came home from hospital. Self care time is important and this came in handy. A year after my first admission to the psych ward, my mind suddenly went you know what, so many mummas could do with a box like this - so many mums deserve a little self care and love and that’s where I came up with the idea of wanting to put together self soothe boxes for mummas doing it tough in mother baby units/post natal wards/maternity wards/mental health units in hospitals and homes across Melbourne. 

I would love to raise some money to be able to purchase the items to be able to donate boxes to as many hospital wards for mummas as I can and I’m hoping this is a good place to start

Thank you so much for listening , I’m doing my best to spread the word about PND  and making sure that in time to come it is never a taboo subject and that mummas look after themselves first and foremost so that they can look after their little ones ! Always seek help if the going gets rough and never be afraid to put your hand up and say ‘hey, I need someone’

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