To ask about PND

[muddledthoughts]

I had my beautiful baby a month ago, sleeping in my arms right now and I am already smitten.

However, I'm really struggling at the moment. Pregnancy was tough, with lots of complications, illness and stress, the birth was technically ok, though full of interventions which were obviously out of my control and I keep re-running it in my head. The more I think about it, the more troubled I am and I don't know why. I'm exhausted (to be expected I know, particularly as I already have another DC to look after), obviously my body's not fully recovered yet and I just feel down, tearful, over-sensitive and don't have much of an appetite. As its our second child it seems like I'm expected to just get on with it, we have had very few visitors and no one has really bothered to ask how I'm doing so I'm feeling quite isolated despite trying to get out, everyone is so busy at this time of year. Christmas is a nice distraction, but I'm so worried about how I will feel in the new year when life goes back to normal. It doesn't help that the anniversary of a miscarriage which I found very hard is coming up too.

I know this is the wrong place (apologies), but I guess I just wanted to talk to someone as I'm feeling very lonely and sad. I don't remember feeling this way first time around after the normal up and downs of the first week or so, so I just don't know if I just need to give myself a bit more time/when these things are normal baby blues vs PND, I'm wondering what helps?

Just sounds like baby blues to me! I had a horrific pregnancy with hospital admission, traumatic birth resulting in PTSD and felt quite down and out of it for a while. In time, I began to feel ok again. It took a out 6 weeks. If you find it goes on longer, give your GP or health visitor a call. Just to have a chat with them. Enjoy your new baby and congratulations!

Thank you so much, I appreciate it!

It's how my PND started.

Could be the baby blues but keep a check on yourself. Baby blues shouldn't last more than 2 weeks from when they start.

Ask for help if you need. From everyone. And PND can't always be diagnosed with a questionnaire.

I agree daily Do keep an eye, however I think many of the symptoms of PND are similar to the general exhaustion of parenthood. I was tearful, tired and lacked motivation for weeks as I said. It wasn't PND, it was adjustment.

But of course it can also be the start of depression and anxiety, your hormones are doing an entirely new dance! Just look after yourself, be kind to yourself and ask for help of you need it. Whether that be support from your GP or a cuppa from a friend.

I had pnd for the first year.i was so cripplingly tired I couldn't bond with my son and it's something I'll never get back.keep an eye on it and get counselling if you feel you need it in regards to the birth I wish I had

There’s a new website aimed at mums feeling like you are - to arrange meet ups for those who are struggling. It’s called mummylinks www.mummylinksapp.com where people feeling like you are can get together for support. If you need to be approved to join pm me your real name and I’ll approve you (it’s done through Facebook) You have my sympathies I suffered from pnd for about 4 years x

Sympathies.

I think if it's been a month, now is the right time to go to the GP to ask about PND.

It's not unusual for someone to be fine after the first baby and suffer after the next.

Don't let yourself be fobbed off with "it's just baby blues" if you think it might be more. That happened to me and it turned really awful. Just keep asking for support if you feel you need it.

Hope you feel better soon xx

Can you speak.to your HV? Help you keep an eye on it? I went to my doctors and I had to answer a questionaire to determine if it was more than baby blues. Just because it's not crippling doesn't mean it's not PNDm it's how mine started. Hope everything works out for you x