PND - anyone got it but been super fit and healthy at time of birth?

[Mylittlepuds]

I had terrible PND with DS. He's 17 months and I've found I'm expecting again (a happy accident). I'm looking into ways to avoid it reoccurring and luckily prior to conception I'd taken up exercise and generally looking after myself more. Don't get me wrong - I wasn't overweight or unhealthy in first pregnancy but I'd certainly not exercised and didn't really eat as well as I could have. Would love advice, thoughts and feedback.

I'm not sure you can avoid it like that, sorry. But I do think those things are very good for you generally and I would do them anyway.

I was extremely fit in my first preganacy and ate and looked after myself very well. I had severe PND which took me a long time to get over.

Congratulations on your new pregnacy, if you do get PND again at least this time you will recognize the symptoms quickly and maybe able to get some help sooner. I do think having as much support and help as is humanly possible is a positive thing for helping PND.

Sorry, but me too. I had mildish pnd after my first. I was very well during my second pregnancy and up to six weeks after. I went from there to being in a mother and baby unit within a week. Having said that, I never sought any help the first time, and Continued to be in denial that I had suffered right through my second pregnancy. I really believe that if I had sought help and been able to work through stuff before I had my second, things wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad.

Your proactive approach will definitely stand you in good stead. Good physical health and nutrition will of course benefit you, as will enough sleep etc. A friend of mine had PND with her first and during her second pregnancy sort of anticipated that she might get it again. She saw a counsellor, i think, via the ante natal clinic, got as much help and support in place as possible.

She did become depressed again, but less severely, partly because she sought help very quickly.

You may not develop PND again, but making sure the scaffolding is there will no doubt help you either way. Best of luck.