Julie

Age at interview: 44

Julie is 44 years old and lives with her husband and 31-month-old child (at the time of interview). For years, she and her husband struggled with infertility, but after stopping treatments she got pregnant naturally. From the beginning of her pregnancy, Jane’s healthcare professionals told her not to expect the pregnancy to last in case of genetic abnormalities, infusing her with fear and anxiety throughout the pregnancy. Despite all this, she had a healthy pregnancy with no complications.

Julie was 41 at time of delivery, and healthcare providers called it a geriatric pregnancy, indicating they would prefer to induce labour, which she didn’t want to do. She was told that she had an increased chance of stillbirth and, if not induced, she would be responsible for the outcome. So, she agreed but then experienced physical problems because of the induction. Further, a person very close to Julie died five days before her baby’s birth, contributing to Julie’s depression and anxiety. 

Julie’s experiences of pregnancy and birth were during the COVID-19 pandemic when vaccines weren’t yet available, and social distancing measures were in place, so Julie had no help from friends and family. 

She had difficulty breastfeeding, didn’t sleep much because of her child’s colic, and it wasn’t easy to access care. At the six weeks consultation appointment with her obstetrician, she explained she wasn’t well and was referred to a psychiatrist although the wait time would be months before a consultation.  

Not long after the referral, she went to a hospital emergency room because she felt she was not doing well. She felt she had to convince the resident that she was unwell enough to be referred to a psychiatrist with priority. 

Julie describes the psychiatrist as being incredible and appreciated her psycho-social approach. With psychotherapy, medication, mindfulness, relaxation technics and better sleep, she was on the road to getting well again. She is better now, doesn’t take medication anymore, and felt that participating in this study might help improve awareness of perinatal mental health problems and ultimately a better healthcare system for others giving birth and their families.

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More content

• Advice for Policymakers – Julie
  Julie offered this perspective:
• Advice for Health Care Providers – Julie (clip 2)
  Julie advocates for less medicalized approaches to birth.
• Advice for Health Care Providers – Julie
  Julie advises giving women information at the appropriate times, when they can absorb it.
• Coping with Perinatal Mental Health – Julie
  Julie could not use her usual method of managing stress because of a birth injury.
• Gaps in Health Care System – Julie
  Julie advocates a whole-person approach to the pregnancy journey.
• Seeking Help and Getting Diagnosis – Julie
  Despite having clearly stated that she was not feeling well, Julie still had to wait weeks before getting support.
• Relationships – Julie
  Julie's husband did not know what to do or how to navigate the health care system to get help.
• Support from Family and Friends – Julie
  A friend of Julie recognized the red flags and helped to get the support she needed.
• Managing Personal Challenges with Sleeping and Eating – Julie
  Looking back, Julie realizes how a chronic lack of sleep spiraled into heightened anxiety.
• Managing New Routines – Julie
  Going from a successful working life to being with her child every day has challenged Julie to expand her skillset.