Puerpural/post partum Psychosis anyone?

[postpartumproblems]

Hello. I have reposted this from pregnancy section as i was told i might get more advice here.

I had puerperal psychosis/post partum psychosis after the birth of my DD 3 years ago. I was sectioned and admitted to a mother and baby unit for treatment. I was unlucky in that 5 months later I developed post natal depression in addition. I am now pregnant again and concerned about what will happen this time around as my risk is now over 50% of it reoccurring as opposed to the initial risk of 0.01%

I have been advised to start on olanzapine immediately post partum and continue on it for 6 months. I gained a LOT of weight due to taking this last time and am still overweight as a result. I also want to breast feed and did while I was sectioned and for ten weeks after my DD was born. I stopped last time as I couldn't decide if it was 'safe' to be feeding her whilst on those drugs and was in no fit state of mind to do any research!

Has anyone suffered from this and managed to stay well after second or subsequent births?

I haven't had postpartum psychosis (I have PND with an anxiety disorder) but didn't want to read and run.

I think you should speak to your MW and if you are not under them, ask for a referral to your CMHT as they will have more answers than anyone on here could give you.

I still see a CPN as she knew we were ttc and she thought it would be good for continuity of care. She was supposed to get me an appt with my consultant but CPN is off sick just now and I've been waiting for appt for months now!

I'm not really looking for answers just to see if there's anyone who has suffered the same?

Not been through the same, but hope someone who has will respond, my thoughts are with you.

A good friend of mine had puerperal psychosis for her first and third pregnancies, sectioned both times, and affected really badly the second time, needing ECT and staying in hospital for about 5 months.....I'm also a healthcare worker.

So...I would say three things -

firstly get your GP on the cases ASAP and sort an appointment out with your psychiatrist,
secondly the standard Dr's drug formulary advised avoiding breatfeeding on olanzipine (but would always defer to a specialist opinion on that kind of thing) and
thirdly - most importantly - although my friend missed much of her newborn's life 'in a fog' as she said, she is now an amazing mum of three happy, well adjusted teens and preteens - so take heart x

Thank you timetosmile I am hoping to arrange the psychiatrist appointment soon. He perinatal consultant at the hospital I was admitted to seen me when we were ttc and said he would be more than happy to be involved if/when I fell pregnant so hoping that is still the same.

I guess I need to discuss this with them but I think the prophylactic drug taking is going to be a must. I am really keen to breastfeed for longer this time so hope to manage that.

It might not happen again especially of I take the drugs to try prevent it but I wont know til it happens again. I do feel similar to your friend in that I missed quite a chunk of my daughters newborn life as I was so drugged up but the main thing is she is a happy healthy toddler now :)

Still hoping someone has more experiences they can share

All I can offer is a friend of mine suffered from this condition and was sectioned but fortunately was in a mother and baby unit. She took the best part of a year to recover. Her second child born 2 years later - no problems at all. Not much consolation I know but take the advice offered by the HCP on here.

Hi, I had puerperal psychosis wiith my first and was admitted to a mother and baby unit, I went on to have a second son despite my gp telling me not to have a second child.
I had pnd with the second but not psychosis.
If you want to pm me I will be happy to answer any queries
Congrats on your pregnancy

Hi, I had PP in 2006 & didn't go on to have another child - I know many that did though without becoming ill a second time due to the care plans they had in place. I'd suggest checking out the Action on Postpartum Psychosis website out as there's all the latest info & research on there. They also offer an excellent, free consultancy/2nd opinion service which would be well worth having. Good luck!
Here's the link: www.app-network.org/what-is-pp/getting-help/second-opinion-service/