Mother of Twins Shares Story of Postpartum Depression, Advocates for Maternal Mental Health
A Scottish mother of twins is sharing her experience battling postpartum depression and intrusive thoughts, hoping to reduce the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and help other mothers feel less alone.
Ivana Poku, now a mother of three and maternal mental health advocate, experienced a sudden and frightening shift in her mental state when her twins were just a few months old. “It was like something possessed my brain and my body,” she recalled. “I felt this strong urge to hurt him.” Recognizing the danger, she secured her baby and sought refuge, realizing she needed help. While she was never officially diagnosed, Poku believes she experienced postpartum depression, potentially bordering on postpartum psychosis.
Poku’s struggle began with numbness and guilt after the twins’ birth, a stark contrast to the expected rush of love. She found herself disconnected from her new life and consumed by self-despise, a silence she describes as “the killer.” These experiences are more common than many realize; clinical psychologist Dr. Shahrzad Jalali notes that 70 to 80 percent of new mothers experience “baby blues,” while roughly one in seven worldwide are affected by postnatal depression. Intrusive thoughts, like those Poku experienced, are also a distressing symptom, but mothers rarely act on them. The National Institute of Mental Health offers resources for those seeking help.
Driven by her recovery, Poku launched Mum’s Journey, a blog and later a book titled “Motherhood: The Unspoken,” compiling stories from mothers globally. She also runs a course preparing expectant mothers for the emotional challenges of postpartum, emphasizing education and support. This work is particularly vital as maternal mental health issues often go undiagnosed and untreated, impacting both mothers and their families. Understanding the signs of postpartum depression is the first step toward seeking help.
Officials emphasize the importance of seeking help if experiencing persistent sadness, loss of pleasure, feelings of guilt, or intrusive thoughts after childbirth, and encourage friends and family to offer support and compassion.