Megan Blandford - Im Fine (and other lies): Postnatal Depression, Motherhood, and Trying to Actually Be Fine

Praise

This is a wonderful account of Megans personal story of becoming a mother, and highlights the many unknown realities that many mums face on the journey into motherhood. Beautifully written, elements of her story will certainly resonate with other mothers, and importantly remind them that they are not alone in what can often be a lonely and challenging time.

Dr Nicole Highet, Founder and Executive Director
of the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)

A warm, honest and deeply personal account of the new parenthood rollercoaster, canvassing all the joys and unvarnished challenges it can bring. It is a testament to the power of individual stories in breaking down the stigma that persists, for some, around postnatal depression and mental illness.

Georgie Harman, Chief Executive Officer,
Beyond Blue

In Im Fine and Other Lies, Megan gifts us a story of pregnancy, birth and the impact of mental health that is authentic, moving and relatable. Becoming a parent changes everything and Megan speaks directly to each of us who have lived the profound joy and hidden angst of parenting, sharing her journey with warmth, humour and raw honesty.

Dr Vijay Roach, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,
Former Chairman Gidget Foundation Australia

It is an intensely personal and heartfelt story of one womans journey through depression to find herselfshe like so many women, was so critical of herself as she transitioned into motherhood, and struggled to ask for help and be heard. I hope this helps other women free themselves of their own negative internal voice long enough to get help.

Dr Anne Buist, Professor Womens Mental Health,
University of Melbourne

Motherhood is hard. Read this book. It will help. And if you still need more help, please please ask. Its out there.

Caroline Overington, journalist and author

Megan Blandford has penned a raw and visceral account of living with depression, told with powerful honesty and beautifully crafted words that will linger long after you turn the final page.

Valerie Khoo, CEO Australian Writers Centre

A candid, brave and uplifting read from a writer whos not afraid to speak her truth not anymore. Megan is the voice of countless women as she captures the motherhood quandary of our age: the secret struggle with darkness while trying to keep it all together.

Jacinta Tynan, author and journalist

Published by Wild Dingo Press
Melbourne, Australia
www.wilddingopress.com.au

First published by Wild Dingo Press 2019

Text copyright Megan Blandford 2019

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968,
no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior permission
of the copyright owners and the publisher of this book.

Cover designer: Debra Billson
Cover illustration: Luciano Lozano/Getty Images
Edited by Anjanette Fennell, Story as Life Literary
Printed in Australia by Ovato
Ebook by Bulaja naklada, Zagreb

Blandford, Megan, 1980-.
Im Fine (and other lies)/Megan Blandford

ISBN: 9780648349877 (paperback)
ISBN: 9780648349891 (ebook: pdf)
ISBN: 9781925893014 (eBook: ePub)

Megan Blandford is an author and prolific freelance writer. As a well-respected voice on mental health and parenting, Megan writes for Sunday Life, Kidspot, SBS, Whimn, Essential Baby, Daily Life, Body+Soul and Headspace. She is also an accomplished content creator for companies including mental health foundation SuperFriend, Blackmores, Bupa, Wines of the King Valley, Australian Unity, NAB and RedBalloon. Her writing is known for being relatable and highly candid. Megan lives in north-east Victoria with her husband and two children. Her writing can be seen at www.meganblandford.net.

Join the conversation #FineAndOtherLies

Everyone who goes through depression experiences it differently.

This is my story. Im sharing my lowest points, my struggles and the mistakes Ive made along the way (eek!), in the hope that you can use it to find your own way through with a little less struggle or, at the least, to feel a little less alone.

Most of all, Ive written this book to help you (and me) realise that you are not your own enemy. To show us all that, when were struggling, there are options to ask for help and to help ourselves.

If at any point you start thinking about ending your own life, harming yourself or your child, or thinking your child might be better off without you, please: get help immediately. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or, for emergencies, call 000.

Wherever you are on your path to greater mental health, I wish you all the best.

And in the words of the wise: go gently.

Acknowledgements

I read authors acknowledgements pages in every book I pick up. That means I know how unoriginal it is to say that this book was a team effort; I guess its a clich for a reason.

I knew from the very beginning that I couldnt write this or put it out into the world without having an enormous amount of support, and Im so fortunate to have found that support in all sorts of places.

Anjanette Fennell, my agent, coach and friendwithout you, this story would still be languishing inside me. Thank you for being the first person I could call when I had an inkling of a thing that I needed to write, for coaching me through every step, for encouraging me to go deeper and for talking me through every first I took along this ride.

Cathi, Alex and the team at Wild Dingo Press, thank you for believing in my story and for being such a supportive, collaborative publishing team.

Mum and Dad, I dont know where to start (or finish) thanking you, so Ill just say a heartfelt thanks for everything. If youd known I was going to be a writer, hey?!

Kate, my sister, and Melanie, my surrogate sisterwhere would I be without you both? I always appreciate you being in my corner, cheering me along.

My brothers, Matthew and David: you inspire me to be brave enough to make new starts.

To the CagaljsAnnette, Steve, Gab, Steph, Christine, Kathythanks for all your encouraging words.

My friends, old and newthanks for accepting me, supporting me and asking how Im doing. You probably dont know the huge difference youve made to my life through little (but big to me) words and actions. My struggles mean Ive not always been the greatest friend in return, but thank you for being happy with my best shot.

To everyone whos ever called, emailed or messaged to say me too when Ive written about my mental health challenges, and to everyone who reads this bookit means the world. Thank you. Be gentle with yourselves.

The night before I wrote this page, we had pizza for dinner and my daughters carefully picked all the pineapple off their pieces. Why are you doing that? I asked, to which they replied (in a tone that implied it was obvious), best till last. These next two acknowledgements are the pineapple from my pizza.