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    "result": {"data":{"sanityStory":{"title":"Lauren’s story: Mental health and alcohol in the perinatal period ","_type":"story","datePublished":"15 January 2024","header":{"background":{"value":"#86DECF"},"headline":"Lauren’s story: Mental health and alcohol in the perinatal period ","text":null,"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-19eb506118ee0875036e7465cc6ca628883b5afc-5184x3456-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":null}},"content":[{"_key":"cea2852861d3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"62bc48ff985a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Throughout my life I have struggled with my mental health, and as a result I have used alcohol as a coping mechanism."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"4b01c81df46e","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"695c3cf169440","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Mental health and alcohol use during the perinatal period"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"76a25138a596","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"f072032060270","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"From the moment I fell pregnant, my mental health deteriorated, and rapidly got worse after my daughter was born. Although I was struggling with antenatal depression, I did not use alcohol whilst pregnant. However, after my daughter was born, it yet again became a go to."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"0bec689213cf","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"873b0b53ea710","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I never received any advice regarding alcohol use before or after pregnancy - despite health professionals knowing I struggled with alcohol use in the past, and it was usually when my mental health deteriorated."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"2509554df715","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"18af491a31eb0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I have seen conflicting information on social media, where some people think that it is okay, and others don't. I made the choice not to drink at all during pregnancy, because I knew whatever I was ingesting affects my baby too. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"5b1b5238cffb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"deede9219e020","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"After the birth, I didn't feel connected to anyone -especially my daughter. I would spend days in bed and in the evenings, I would have a drink. I didn't drink to get drunk -I never have -but I needed something that made me chill. At the time, I thought it was making me feel better. Although it was never a huge amount of alcohol, it was the frequency and secrecy."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"c9ae27c46665","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"43ab849494730","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I was connected with the perinatal mental health team whilst pregnant and I think that made me stay on track. However, after my daughter was born I no longer had that support. I struggled majorly to the point of severe self-harm and suicidal ideation. And so, alcohol became the go to - I did what got me through."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"34ce0f17c4aa","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"1094538a61d80","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Finding the right support "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"377f57ebf0eb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"01c912e600260","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I had a three week stay in the mother and baby mental health unit. I learned new techniques and during that time, I didn't have a single drink. "}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"45c61b28a83e","_type":"quote","quote":"It took a lot of effort in that time, and I had to be brutally honest about what was going on for me."},{"_key":"7b0c7daea932","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"fbaf7da30621","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" But I’ve always believed honesty is the best policy, and if I hadn't been honest, I wouldn't have got the help I needed. Through sheer determination, I was able to stay on track. However, I relapsed earlier this year. I am now seeking further professional support. Alcohol is one of those things: Dependency creeps up on you and before you know it, it's hard to say no."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"d55d82b87a4b","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"84aecdc87d0a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A message for parents"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"h4"},{"_key":"76dac0297883","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"4b6f448369b90","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"One of the tips that has helped me, was making sure I had stock of my favourite non-alcoholic drink so when I fancied a drink, I would drink that instead. However, seeking professional help from a doctor, psychologist or even at the hospital has been the best support."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3bb46ccc97eb","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"ea0c04f168a00","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"If you think you may have a problem, please speak to someone."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"ddc699b0f910","_type":"quote","quote":"There is help out there, and you are not alone."},{"_key":"0a039518aeb3","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c13e42ce8c5b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":""}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}],"sidebarTitle":"Helpful Information","sidebarPosts":[{"title":"Alcohol use in the perinatal period: Support for all parents ","_type":"article","slug":{"current":"alcohol-use-in-the-perinatal-period"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-5fa2c89ec442d97d78839cc2bb08ed2d947f87f6-2592x3888-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":null},"text":null}}],"modules":[],"relatedStories":[{"title":"Chris' Story","_type":"story","slug":{"current":"chris-story"},"header":{"image":{"asset":{"_id":"image-16d2e0c0b8852ebf8d646648c3aa7a4cd11eb147-2048x1536-jpg"},"crop":null,"hotspot":null,"alt":"Chris laying down with newborn baby"},"text":[{"_key":"24363aeedf51","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"753891a105250","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I think maybe it's a male pride thing, but you just can't solve all your problems by yourself. 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