How likely is it to happen again?

[blueeyedmonster]

I had PND after my last birth. Lots of factors contributed towards it including the 'health professionals' not listening to me when my child needed help.

Because I've had it once is it likely to happen again?

I had it with DD1 (difficult birth, ill mother, completely overwhelmed - where has my life and sense of humour gone? etc.) and it was one of the factors in having a gap of almost 6 years between DDs. However, I never got it the second time round (elcs, more laid back - don't know why). I don't think it's a given you'll get it again but tbh I'm no expert. I think I had got over the shock (if that's the right word) of becoming a mum so didn't have to think about it the second time round. Best of luck.

That's good to hear maresedotes.

Thank you maresedotes that is reassuring to hear

hi,
i've also posted this on a pregnancy thread, but just found this one.
in person this would be much harder 2 say, but as on here no-one knows its me i can say it...
after the birth of our ds, our 2nd child, it took me a long time-possible a few months to 'connect' with him and feel for him what i did for our dd when she was born-though i do love him 2 bits now and would do anything for him.
i dont believe i had pnd, and was not diagnosed with it either.
everything was fine with our 1st, who was born by c-section after prolongied 2nd stage (wow the pain relief), with our ds, when i arrived at hospital i was 5cm and said i'd want an epidural, i could tell by the look on her face she wasnt going 2 let me have one. the midwife we had that time wanted me 2 labour flat on my back (almost yelling at me 2 get in the bed when it came 2 the pushing stage-but i couldnt get my leg up 2 get on2 the bed, so gave birth standing up), just had gas and air. also, we knew we were having a boy 2nd time around, with our 1st we didnt know we were having a girl due to her having her legs crossed in the scan.
our midwife this time (we live in a different area) said not to worry,and that if they can, i can have whatever pain relief i want this time around.

this time around i want 2 do what i can 2 try and prevent the same from happening again if theres a chance it may be at all possible, by trying to do a few things differently from how they were last time around.
one of these things being not to find out the gender (tho i know it depends on babies position when we have the scan as to wether or not anyone could tell anyway), in the hope that the suprise may make it all more exciting. dh knows how i felt after ds was born, and i have explained to him why i dont want to find out babies gender this time around, but he has said he wants 2 find out, and that he'd keep it secret-but he's the worst person for keeping secrets.
a couple of days ago our boss said 2 me my dh "is going 2 find out, and im sure he'll tell everyone at work and that someone who doesnt know you dont want 2 find out would tell you by mistake" i didnt let it out but inside it really upset me.
scan is on tuesday, if i ask the sonogropher not to tell us/let us see and that i dont want dh 2 know, but he tells her he does want 2 know, do u think she would hide it from both of us or that she would tell him?
im not sure if any of this makes sense, but needed to let it out
just feel i need some control this time around to feel i am trying 2 prevent it from happening again

Hi,
I am a health professional running a team that works during pregnancy to prevent PND and postnatally with women who have PND.

I think the most important part is that you recognised that there was a lot going on for you at the time. Yes many women who have PND will develop it again, but there is a lot you can do to help reduce the chance of this happening.

Diet during pregnancy and following the birth is vital. Within our service we work with the NHS logo to promote N-Nutrition, H-Hydration & S-Sleep/Stress. By ensuring you drink plenty of fluids (not caffeine) and eating well (using supplements such as Pregnacare or other suitable vitamins for pregnancy) you can reduce the risk. Sleep is vital, but obviously this can be difficult with a new baby. So sleep when baby sleeps during the day, Eat and drink when baby feeds. Snack on healthy easy to prepare foods such as Grapes, Cherry tomatoes, vegetable strips (carrot, cucumber, sweet peppers) and eat with Humous. Have a cup a soup instead of tea or coffee.

This is not the answer to all PND but by reducing stress and doing things such as eat well and sleep at every opportunity any stress will be easier to deal with and may make the difference between keeping PND at bay or not. If you do notice things are getting on top of you talk to a health visitor and be open and honest. There is help available.

jimmijam sorry you have had such a hard time. I do believe stuff like the midwife said really don't help matters.

I hope this time round is better for you and that you feel happier. Good luck for the scan tomorrow. I'm not sure what the sonographer would do. I can only assume that if one of you don't want to know she won't tell that person at least. I've never been in that situation so it's only hyperthetical.

Thank youSteveBrad I will keep all that in mind and hope it does make a difference this time round.

Sounds like a great programme, Steve. Do you offer any counselling/psychotherapy in addition to this?

thankyou, it's nice to be able to talk about it, though i have talked about it with my dh and (shy-ly) with my midwife it's not something i have felt able to talk to anyone else about.
blueeyedmonster have you felt able to talk about it with any friends/family?
thanks stevebrad , with a newborn still approx. 20weeks away i#m not sure i'll remember it though-so hope ur still around on here 2 remind me!!! i would have thought those things would be more, advertised, for want of a better word, after giving birth, aswell as everything else (which is just as important) e.g. reminding you all babies cry, you'e not alone etc.
i'm still suprised there arent more posts in this and similar threads

It is hard to open up about isn't it?

I have told my mum little bits but not absolutely everything. I'm sure I've spoken to a friend about it too but definately my mum. She just listens and doesn't ever judge and I know I can talk to her about anything. It has really helped and I still talk to her about it sometimes now (over 3 years on).

It would be good if the things stevebrad highlighted were more advertised wouldn't it. People sya the odd thing like sleep when baby does but it's so easy to forget to eat properly and drink more water (I drank too much coffee, only just getting out of the habit now!)

Yes we offer some counselling and brief CBT. But no Psychotherapy within the service, but we can refer into other services for more in depth therapy. However, we find when we we work antenatally there is often little need, unless there there are longer standing issues from prior to pregnancy.

We have a team website, but the service only covers South east Essex, however the information is general and there is a nutrition booklet that can be downloaded. The link is to the right of this chat www.babyblues.nhs.uk