Pregnancy after PND?

[binday]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I had several miscarriages before finally conceiving DS. I also had a long history of depression and anxiety.
After his birth I had severe PND. It was a very dark time and I was suicidal.

I am now in much better place mentally (though I still have the odd bad patch). DS is wonderful, my career is going from strength to strength and my marriage is the strongest it's ever been.

DH wants a second child, and I'm starting to accept that I do too. I'm so scared though, I don't want to go back to the place I was after DS's birth, and I'm not sure I could survive it again.

Has anyone else gone through similar or have any words of wisdom to guide me?

[dangermouseisace]

Hi binday congratulations on the birth of DS. It sounds like you had a really stressful time getting to that place, so it's not surprising you ended up with PND. Glad to hear you are in a much better place now. Did you get any help with your PND? As if you've had it once, then midwives etc tend to be on the ball and keen to get extra support/monitoring in place.

I had severe PND after DS2, ended up getting support from mother and baby unit. When I got pregnant with DD3 the midwives referred me back to the mother and baby psychiatrist and it meant that an eye was kept on me throughout pregnancy, also a plan was put in place for the birth. In my case it meant that I started a fairly low dose of antidepressant the day I gave birth, as a prophalitic. It seemed to work and I didn't go through the problems I had with DS2 (although then life happened and I got depressed anyway but DD3 was 2 by then!)

I've had friends who have had PND with 1st, and had a better experience 2nd time around as they have known what was going on, and to get help, or already had things in place.

Only you can make the decision to have another child though, as of course there is the chance you may get it again. Was DH supportive through your PND 1st time?

[binday]

Thanks dangermouse

I hid my symptoms because I was so ashamed, but once I opened up my DH was very supportive and has promised to look after me if we have another.

It sounds silly, but I never thought about the antenatal mental health services. I was so wrapped up in panic that I totally forgot that support is there. Hearing about your experience has definitely encouraged me.

[dangermouseisace]

aw binday it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. I'm glad your DH was supportive, and that he still is.

If you do decide to have another it might be worth taking DH to the booking in appointment to explain how things were for you the first time. Some times it helps having someone that isn't embarrassed to help out!