Felt very low after ds1 born, due dc2. How can I protect myself this time?

[chocolatestar]

I felt really low after ds1 was born, I ended up struggling with eating probs which i was lucky enough to get help for and sort out but it was a good year before i felt better.

Before I had ds1 I was sure that I would ask for help if I felt low but when I was in it I wanted to hide it as I didn't want ppl to know I was struggling.

I don't want to go back to that, I missed so much of ds1's first year and I felt awful. Also put strain on dh who was worried about me.

Trying to think now if there is anything I can do to prevent a repeat when dc2 is born.

Hi there, just to say I had really bad depression whilst I was pregnant and I got help from the perenatal mental health team at the hospital and I now get home visits from a cpn (my baby was born 3 weeks ago)for as long as I need.

Your midwife can refer you now if you feel you will have problems with pnd, i think they are very aware of this kind of thing nowadays.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks, I did mention it to my midwife sonat least they have it on record. Just worried that I worked so hard to hide it last time when I was so sure I would ask for help if things got bad.

hopefully the midwife will keep an eye out for you and you wont be able to hide it. maybe try a number thing of how you feel each day out of 10 so if is consistantly bad our dh can convince you that you need some help? when is dc2 due?

Due jan. I had a difficult start with ds1, feeding very painful and he was an awful sleeper. Am hoping it will be better this time round.

Food thing was an old issue which reared it's ugly head because I was so low. Feel I have put on a lot of weight this pregnancy although I avoid scales so don't know for sure, but am apprehensive about how I will feel about my body afterwards.