'Why we need to talk about postnatal depression in dads'

When Ross Hunt first found out that his wife Rachel was pregnant, he was overjoyed.

"I remember crying", he said.

"It wasn't because I was scared about being a dad, it was because that was exactly what I wanted".

But when Isabelle was born, Ross didn't feel how he'd been expecting to.

"I don’t remember feeling a lot", he recalls.

"I was expecting this big rush of emotions that everyone always talks about, but for me there was just nothing there.

"We'd have family members coming over and they'd hold the baby and they'd look at her with all this love, and I'd kind of look at them going 'well why don't I feel like that?'

"I got to a point where I kind of felt Rachel would be better off without me".

Ross recalls not feeling how he had expected to when Isabelle was born Credit: Ross Hunt

Ross went to see his GP, who said his symptoms sounded a lot like postnatal depression.

With the help of medication, support from family and spending lots of time with Isabelle, Ross was able to get on the road to recovery - and he says he now has a great relationship with his daughter.

He writes a blog about his experiences of postnatal depression, in the hopes of raising awareness of the condition in men, and to offer support and advice to others going through it.

"If there's any dads who are in the middle of postnatal depression or they feel awful, just know that eventually you can get to this point where being a dad is everything that you've ever wanted", said Ross.

"There's hope, there's always light at the end of the tunnel".

Ross says he now has a great relationship with his daughter Isabelle Credit: Ross Hunt
  • What is postnatal depression?

The NHS says postnatal depression is a type of depression experienced by many parents after having a baby.

It's estimated to affect more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth, and also affects fathers and partners.

Symptoms can include a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood, and difficulty bonding with your baby.

Anyone who thinks they may be experiencing symptoms of postnatal depression is advised to speak to their GP or health visitor.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this report, the following organisations can offer advice and support: