to ask for positive pnd outcome stories?

[CailinDana]

Have finally admitted i have pnd. I've had depression before so i know i have a slow road to recovery ahead. I would so appreciate anyone else's stories of how they overcame pnd. I need some reassurance at the moment.

So pleased to read your news Cailin :)

I'm glad things are improving for you.

It's also easier to tackle things (like the sleeping) when you are feeling better in yourself I think.

"I hope that you're really proud of yourself too."

This, absolutely. I want to say 'well done' but I'm aware that sounds patronising!

Really glad things are improving :)

Thanks guys. Your support really has helped a lot. I learned from my last bout of depression that sometimes just saying or writing the crazy thoughts robs them of their power. Knowing you were there "listening" and really understanding was a really important outlet for me.

:)

Just checking in after a few days away, it takes guts to speak out when you're already feeling wretched. That in itself is a huge achievement which will undoubtably go on to help others as they come across this thread. It's great to see you're feeling a bit brighter in yourself

Bit of a tough day today. Both kids in bad form. I'm very tired and can't see myself getting sleep anytime soon. Just fed up really which i suppose is normal. I hate to admit it but i long for the time pre-dd when our lives were simpler and more fun.

I hear you Cailin. I remember days like that, they are so draining and the little voice in your head going "life used to be soooo much easier before this...".

Just remember it's not forever (even if it feels like it).

Thanks for understanding ada, i feel guilty for feeling so negative about our new life with dd. On the plus side dd took some milk from a bottle so i was able to bath ds and have a play with him which was lovely.

Please don't feel guilty. I think these dark feelings are part of the tedious head fuck that is PND. Plus, DC, even at their loveliest, and in the nicest way, require a lot of hard work!

Also, it's lovely you got to spend a but of time with DS. I bet he loved having you to himself.

I can only second what flippin says above. And also, I really relate as felt that DD was only just getting a bit easier (she was 3) when I stupidly went and had DS, taking us all the way back to new baby sleeplessness/imprisonment. So I think it's all part of the horrid PND and v v v normal.

if it's any comfort, I had both DC all day today (DS is in childcare 3 days a week and DD is in preschool each day, so this was kind of rare). And do you know what?- we had a lovely day (not perfect (there were stern words w DS at tea time and DD at bathtime) but still lovely). And that's something I never ever ever would have thought possible even 6 months ago as I felt so trapped by them.

Hang in there. And congrats on DD taking a bottle and getting time w DS!

Thanks. Was due to go to soft play with a friend and his daughter but he cancelled 25 mins before we were due to meet. Hacked off. Nothing else to do today so it's another day cooped up in the house. Great fun.

That's really really annoying. Any baby groups on around you? Or could you go for a walk and a coffee (bribe DS w biscuit to sit still), just to get out of the house?

Ds isn't the problem, it's dd as she cries so much. Not a problem at soft play but stressful elsewhere. Plus i don't feel at all confident going anywhere with the two of them on my own. No groups on nearby. Just have to write this day off i think.

I still struggle when plans are changed at the last minute, that's so rubbish for you that it happened today. A change of scene can help, could you walk to the local shop for an ice cream and have a slow walk home in the sun? Get some vit D?
John Lewis here have loads of mums and little ones in the cafe, I take DD in there to feed when she's really refluxy. I feel more comfortable sitting near other mums with children who are as noisy as mine! Is there anywhere near you similar?
I'm midlands based, pm me if you fancy a meet...

We went for a walk and no disasters befell us! I have to go to the gp later because my biopsy wound seems infected. Luckily my neighbour is looking after ds so i only have to bring dd. How old are your children chilled and coffee?

Well done!

4.5 and 19 months (and just found out I'm pg again, so feeling awful w morning sickness today).

Good luck w dr. xx

Congratulations on the pregnancy chilled. How are you feeling about the prospect of no.3?

Thanks.

Erm, being totally honest? I'm not looking forward to the new baby part and I'd really like to fast forward 18 months, till No3 is about 9 months old. I can't wait to have 3DC and see them all play together. It just feels right that we'll have 3DC, and I'm really relieved that there's no problems so far (I had an ectopic in Oct, so I was quite nervous till I had a scan on Tues).

I think I'm quite anxious about PND for a third time (THIRD- I mean, really- surely I've had my share by now?!), but I made an appointment to meet the counsellor I had before to talk about it all.

Sorry for mini-hijack.

Don't be sorry, it's interesting to hear how you feel. I always wanted 3 or 4 children but the pnd has made me feel that i could never face this again. It's actually very heartening to know that you've been here twice and are still quite positive about having another

I've realised that I don't really enjoy the little baby stage- I find it a bit suffocating and hard work. But I can't believe how much I am enjoying DS and DD at the mo, and I look forward to having a little gang of 3 to drive me crazy. And I know that even if it does happen again, I know that it WILL end- it won't last forever and I will come out the other side with the 3DC I always dreamed of. And that not enjoying the baby part does not make me a bad mother.

You are giving me a lot of hope chilled. I think i'm similar to you - i find the unpredictability and lack of interaction with babies very hard whereas i find toddlers endlessly entertaining. Pre dd ds and i had a great time. I do miss that.

You will get it back, w the added plus of seeing your dc interact w one another.

I agree with you both, but until recently would have felt uncomfortable saying that I'm not a fan of the early baby days. I like routine, I like to know whats happening next, I like to plan things, I like hot drinks not lukewarm ones!
I'm looking forward to going back to work too, I've learnt that I don't really enjoy being a SAHM....I need some baby down time for everyones sake. If i spend too long indoors I start to get unreasonably tetchy about the state of the kitchen work tops!
DS is 6 soon and DD 6months. I don't plan to have anymore, but it is heartening to hear your experience chilled and see that it could still be a positive experience.