A MILFORD mum has shared her experience of post-natal depression on TV, in the hope it will help other families who are struggling to cope.

Amy Blockwell’s son Jacob was born three months premature, and medical staff had to work round-the-clock to keep him alive.

While Jacob received the best of care, Amy was struggling to come to terms with being a mum.

“For me, the support wasn’t there,” she said.

For Amy, this was her first experience of mental health problems.

“I never thought about it before, it never affected me until Jacob was very poorly,” she said.

“I started deteriorating when I was in hospital, and then it just got worse when I got home.

“I felt like I couldn’t be a mum, that I wouldn’t bond with him, and it took me long time to get to where I am now.”

Now, Amy is working with Fixers - a national charity that gives young people aged 16-25 years a voice on issues that matters to them – to produce a booklet to help other mums and dads.

She also appeared on ITV News Wales on Friday, April 7, where she spoke to other mums who struggled to find proper support.

By sharing her own experience, Amy hopes to point people in the direction of groups and resources that can help.

“It’s not just for people with premature babies, you can struggle even if you have a normal birth,” she said.

“I want people to get the support when they need it.

“I have spoken to other mums who felt exactly the same and I want them to know that it’s not embarrassing or a bad thing to talk about it.”

Amy now attends a weekly emotional coping skills group, which she says has changed her life.

“I’m in a good place now, and the group has helped me deal with everything,” she said.

“But I didn’t get offered that until Jacob was nearly a year old, I had to deal with it on my own until then.

“If I could have had it quicker I don’t think I would have got as bad as I did.”

Speaking about her life now, Amy said: “Jacob and I have got a brilliant relationship now.

“I feel confident to be a mum whereas months ago I would have fallen apart.

“I never thought I would do something like this but I’m so glad I did.”

To learn more about Amy's story, click here.

Amy’s booklet is currently in production, and it is hoped it will be available later this year.