To be absolutely terrified of getting PND again

[ballinacup]

I've just found out I'm six weeks pregnant with DC2, I should be overjoyed but I'm actually terrified.

I suffered quite badly with PND following DS's birth nearly two years ago and have only started to feel "normal" again in the last six months or so.

All I want to do is cry. If I get it again, DS will be old enough to understand, he'll be frightened. Could someone please reassure me that everything will be okay?

Hi there. No-one can tell you for certain whether you will/wont get pnd again, but there are things you can do. I had pnd with my dd (now 6), and am currently 31w pg with 2nd dc. Was also really fearful about effect on both dc. I've found that my midwife has been v proactive because of my history (pnd but also general anxiety disorder & depression at other points in my life) and she referred me to a perinatal psychiatrist who I saw about 6w ago. He's devised a birth plan which basically involves me going straight back on meds the day dc arrives almost as a preventative measure. It's helped me feel more in control/prepared iykwim. When you have your booking in appt could you ask about seeing a perinatal psych team?

Talk to your obstetrician about this. You can have hormone therapy post-natally that has had some good results.

De Katherina Dalton believes that keeping your blood sugar stable can help prevent PND, because I your blood sugar drops, then the receptors which should pick up the hormones from your blood stream, switch to picking up glucose from your blood stream instead (to maximise the amount of energy your body can access). She recommends eating some carbs no more than an hour after getting up, three hourly through the day, and no more than an hour before you go to sleep.

You don't have to eat lots more carbs, just little and often. I heard her lecture on this when I had PND (and I have to be honest and say I had it after each of my three dc, but in my case it was complicated by, as then undiagnosed! clinical depression). What I liked about this approach is that it is treatment without drugs, and puts you in control.

It is also worth talking to your family - as this has happened once, you and they will know how it manifested in you last time, so can be alert to any early signs that you are developing it again, so you can treat it early if it happens.

One thing that I hope might set your mind at rest a bit - as I said, I have had PND thre times, and have had clinical depression since I was 14 (undiagnosed until I was in my 40s), and my boys have grown up healthy, happy, stable and successful.

Hello, and congratulations!

You can't tell what will happen, unfortunately, but just wanted to say that I had pretty bad PND with my first baby. When my 2nd was born, 3 years later, I had no problems at all. Don't assume it will happen again.

Also, I think by focussing on your fears so much, it can only make it more likely, not less.

Try to be positive, lots of people don't get PND on subsequent pregnancies. The other positive thing I is that I think if it starts happening again you will know sooner and be able to get help sooner without going through that fearful, "what will people think of me?" stage.

You may be able to "nip it in the bud" and get things sortedout more quickly if you are unlucky and it does recur.

I hope that's helpful, good luck!

I have four children. I was diagnosed when dc1 was six months old with pnd. I dispute I had pnd at that time. Dd was my whole life and I loved being a mum. However I struggled to cope with my Dh's family and the pressure they were excerting over me and dd. however I was told ANY depression in the 18 months after giving birth is labelled as pnd due to the hormones still being all over the place.

After dc3 was born I really did have quite severe pnd. I was lucky to have an excellent health visitor who noticed and took action. I was a mess for weeks. When I had dc4 I was terrified. I didn't want to go through that again but it never cropped up. I was much better and happier.

It makes me sad as I feel as though I missed the first six months of dc3s life. But it isn't necessarily going to take hold again.

Thank you for your comments.

I'll definitely bring it up at my booking appointment and see what the midwife suggests. I just have a massive fear of ruining DS's life

Ballina: Start taking Pregnacare Max vitamin and mineral supplement.
They are expensive, but you can always buy 3 for 2 in Boots.

They are NOT woo.
Mention them to your MW if you aren't sure.

Take them right through your pregnancy and take the Post Natal version afterwards.

Have a good diet too.

Best wishes to you.

You are not going to ruin his life - please, please believe me.

I had PND after both my children, 2nd time was easier as DH knew what to look out for and he was the one infact that booked the GP appointment and encouraged me to go.

Also you will not ruin DS life.