Something to Live For by @cantylaura
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Having recently become a mum I have found myself picking up books written by new mums about their experiences. I often feel connected to these mums in our shared experience. Luckily for me, I did not experience the situation Laura found herself in. Canty lays it all out on the table for her readers to experience her journey through post natal depression and her time spent in a mother and baby unit of a mental hospital. A starkly honest and inspiring read that left me feeling incredibly sorry for Laura, and all those hundreds of others in the same situation.
Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Canty and Octopus Publishing for this fantastic ARC

Unfortunately I was unable to download this as there was no Kindle option and my laptop doesn't support the netgalley files. I'm gutted as was really looking forward to reading this.

Something To Live For: My Postnatal depression and how the NHS saved us’ -Laura Canty
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⚠️ Post Natal Depression ⚠️

5 months ago, as a I sat cradling this new life in my arms, sobbing; “I don’t know what to do!” My Midwife said to me: “We are unfortunately living in a society where a mother’s competency is assessed on how unaffected she is from pregnancy and birth.”That hit me. Hard. Because the truth is, the complexities of caring for a brand new human around the clock is daunting and exhausting beyond all recognition. Add to that mix, the desperate recuperation of your healing body and you’re onto a winner (maybe not.)

Imagine swimming in the ocean, at times the water is still, sometimes the waves are gentle and ebbing- you feel in control, occasionally, you feel invincible. Then without warning, the tide shifts, the current changes and you are engulfed by the relentless surge of the suffocating swell of the ocean. Motherhood is just essentially a continual cycle this; trying your best and equally, wondering if you are doing enough, or even, if you are doing it ‘right’, at all! (Spoiler alert: there’s no such thing).

When I saw this book on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it. As predicted, this book articulated everything I had felt in the commencing weeks and months since giving birth. It is a lifeline. A signal of hope that you are not alone and that, despite your brain telling you otherwise, things will and do get better. It was authentic, raw and most importantly, it took the subject of PND, that still remains today as a taboo subject and made it accessible to those who need it most; mothers, fathers, family friends. The further this is disseminated, the better. Together let’s de-stigmatise postnatal depression.

Bravo, Laura Canty, I commend you for your vulnerability in sharing your story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing Group for this ARC.

This was a brave, honest account of what it’s like experiencing post natal depression. The author didn’t hold back - detailing her thoughts, feelings and experiences from first bringing her baby home right until she was admitted to a mother and baby unit. 

The writing sucked me in and I could climb inside the author’s mind and experience her story through her eyes. The chapters are broken up into diary like entries, so it was easy to follow and understand the progression of her story. The author’s voice was so clear and so unique. I learnt so much about post-natal depression and how it can present. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy for an honest review.

I am writing this review for netgalley.

I was lucky enough to be given access to a copy of this book for review. Laura Canty tells her deeply personal journey from the birth of her son to the depths of postnatal depression and back to feeling herself again through the help of a specialised mum and baby unit in Birmingham and the wide ranging help from the NHS.

This honest reflection is at times painful to read, the layout of the book being almost a diary makes the authors descent into depression feel like a slow train but you see the signs in black and white and realise how these feelings can manifest.

It is a true reflection of what dealing with postnatal depression is like, not just for the author but for her family and little boy. I found it particularly interesting being a dad myself as it offers a rare insight into the rollercoaster of being a new parent and how that ride can sometimes come off the rails.

Everyone should read this book simply to understand a part of what it's like and potentially be in a position to help someone who needs it.

Couldnt reccomend it enough!

The real-life story of a young mum with postpartum depression - and how a small, specialist NHS hospital is saving women's lives

As a nurse who has worked in emergency care, palliative care and now intensive care for neonates, this book resonated with me so much., At times it was absolutely heartbreaking and as someone who nursers premature babies and cares for mums and dads, this book left me with a lump in my throat. I will definitely be discussing this at work in our book club and recommending it. I have so much admiration and thankfulness for the author.