Out of the Blues is a support group and a forum for mums suffering post natal illness (PNI) here in Dubai. They offer an online forum and support network via the five Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels are expat mums who have experienced PNI (also called post natal depression) and together are determined to help all the other mums in Dubai suffering from PNI in their “hour of need”. You do not need to suffer alone.

They were very lucky to have found one another and helped each other survive through our darkest days. Now, they can be there for you.

Post natal illness is a recognised and treatable condition which affects approximately one in ten mothers. It can affect any mother, regardless of nationality, and can begin as soon as your baby is born, though is not often recognised until later on.

Symptoms of PNI vary from person to person but can include feeling sad, anxious and unable to look forward to anything. You may find you feel no joy in being a mother, lack all motivation and experience extreme tiredness. Some mothers describe having a ‘foggy’ or ‘woolly’ head and how they feel quite different to how they did before.

Obviously, many new mothers feel extremely tired but when combined with other distressing symptoms, this could point to PNI. Feeling highly anxious may lead to panic attacks which are very common and can be very frightening.

If you think you could be suffering with PNI, please join their closed online forum, share your thoughts, worries or stories and they will reply to you within 24 hours, guaranteed.

There is little support here in Dubai for PNI sufferers and many family and friends don’t understand it. Even if we are not sufferers ourselves, we need to be vigilant and keep an eye on our girlfriends who have recently had babies. The Blue Angels understand. They have all experienced PNI in their own way. But they came through it, are stronger for it and are determined not to let you suffer alone.

Come to their monthly Coffee Mornings or the Evening Support Groups to meet the Blue Angels and others. It truly helps very much to be able to share your feelings and realise that you are not alone and that you WILL get better.

Facebook: Out of the Blues
Email:outofthebluesdubai@gmail.com
Bigtent forum: Out of the Blues (Within the forum you will also find a rota with an emergency number for when things are just too hard)