RE Posting here about PND after the birth of my second child and how to try and avoid it.

[ImPeppaPigOink]

I'm currently 18weeks pregnant and petrified of getting PND again, I can't go through that again.

I was diagnosed with PND when my DD was 3weeks old after a routine appointment to my GP about my eczema and apparently I begged him to take my DD away. The GP knew I had a past history of depression (I was sectioned for 3months 2 years earlier) and he got someone to phone my DP to come and collect baby while the GP had a chat with me and prescribed anti depressants.

For the next few months I couldn't even look at my baby, feed her, dress her anything. DP had to do everything for DD until DD was 5months old. We had SS involved and HV coming out every week to keep an eye on things. I was also seeing a Psychiatrist and a CPN.

DP left DD in the same room as me and DD looked at me and smiled at ME. I went over to DD and touched her face and she smiled again. I smiled back and touched her little hand and DD smiled again. It was a great feeling. My baby actually smiled at me. DP came in the room with DD bottle and I fed my baby.

When DD was about 1year I went to my GP and he believed I was feeling better (along with my psychiatrist) so the dose of my anti depressants was reduced.

I went back down low once again and wouldn't allow anyone near my DD. I was that ill I ended up taking an Overdose as DD (18months old) could do with a better mum.

I was once again sectioned. I got out of hospital and was diagnosed with an illness that could have been caused by the anti depressants that the hospital put me on so I was took off them straight away and I have actually never felt better. I have been off anti depressants for 2.6years now. After 6months I was discharged from my CPN and the psychiatrist.

DD is 4years old and I can not remember the first 18months of DD's life. I can't remember her first step or anything as I was to much like a Zombie. (DP has told me what I was like)

I'm now pregnant again and the psychiatrist who I used to see wont see me until/if I need to seem him.

Is there anyway how I can help not get PND this time. I love my DD and I want to feel the same way to this new baby, I really can not go through PND again.

I don't want to ruin my DD's life she really deserves a well mum and now as she notices stuff I don't want her to see me the way I used to be.

Can't offer any direct advice just didn't want your post to go unanswered. Could you contact your HV and explain situation and fears and get a referral to the mental health team? When I got pregnant again after first (and second) periods of PND I was immediately referred back to mental health by my midwife, I'm surprised that they don't want to see you ASAP given your history. How about starting ADs during mid-late pregnancy or immediately on birth? Sorry I can't be of more help

Had another thought...I had PND after DS1 and then had counselling including CBT during pregnancy with my second. I felt very positive during this time and after DS2 was born...and then I got PND again. Felt a total failure. When pregnant with DD3 I decided not to make myself any promises and if I got PND then I'd deal with it and if I didn't get it then great. Went on ADs the day she was born. Surprise surprise I got PND again but unlike with DS2 I didn't feel so bad about it. What I think I'm saying is you might get PND again or you might not but if you do you WILL get through it because you have before and unlike last time you and/or your DP and/or CPN will be more aware of what to look out for and get treatment quicker. Good luck

I am sorry to hear that you were so ill with your first child. PND is truely evil and it is utterly isolating to have severe postnatal depression. I had severe postnatal depression with my son, but mild anxiety with my second child. I had similar fears that having a second baby would ruin my son's life, but those fears were unfounded.

ARe you experiencing any symptoms of ante natal depression/ anxiety. It might be helpful for you to ask your midwife to refer you to the peri natal team. There are midwives that offer specialist support.

The health visiting service is pretty limited for most second time mums. Many second time mums don't even get to see a proper health visitor, they see a community nurse instead. Prehaps its worth asking whether a health visitor or a CPN could visit you in the early weeks to keep an eye on you.

I'm in a similar situation in that I'm dreading the rerun
of PND when DC2 comes along. The truth is I'm still not entirely over postnatal anxiety after birth of DS 17 months ago (this pregnancy was a 'surprise').

I'm trying the natural route - great diet and exercise throughout. I truly believe PND is hormonal in my case at least as never suffered until DS was born, and then everytime I dropped a feed or came on a period it worsened.

Have you read about the role of progesterone? It's very interesting and some women have injections of it after the birth to prevent that massive drop in it, which many believe triggers PND/anxiety.

Are you on good quality antenatal vitamins? What's your diet like? I'm really interested to see if i'm totally barking up the wrong tree in my approach.

I'm so sorry the first year and a half of your DDs life wasn't great for you but please know you're not alone - I'm the same. It's so heartbreaking but at least there's others who understand :)

"Are you on good quality antenatal vitamins? What's your diet like? I'm really interested to see if i'm totally barking up the wrong tree in my approach."

No you are not barking up the wrong tree. A common reason for anti depressants not working is a poor diet. Your body needs the building blocks of fatty acids to make the seratoniun. Turkey and Omega 3 oils good source of tryptophan.

www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/23153/146868/depressant

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4610070.stm

I also think it helps to eat slow release carbs and avoid eating too much sugar. The problem with sweet foods is that you get a rapid peak in sugar levels that gives the mother a high and then her mood drops when the sugar levels drop. I found that having porriage for breakfast helped me.

Thanks reallytired!

Is it worth going to your GP and asking for a referral to a perinatal team at your hospital?

I'm not clear whether your existing psychiatrist is a perinatal specialist but if they are just a bog standard one they won't have the answers you need.

I am bipolar and had crippling depression in two of my three pregnancies. I was with the perinatal specialist teams (midwives and psychiatrists) each time and although they couldn't prevent the depression they were able to get the right support more quickly.

I don't think anyone can predict PND 100% accurately but if you've had it once you are at risk and the resources should be made available to you.

I had terrible PND for the first few months of my son's life. I'm now 37 weeks pregnant & terrified I will get it again. I have made as many provisions for help as I can & have been told in going to get extra monitoring from the HV to try & ensure my mental well being.

To be honest I am terrified, but I know if it happens again I will get through it with no long lasting effects, my son certainly hasn't been affected by the last bout.

MsRiaBull

I have spoken with my Midwife today about being referred back to Mental Health Services and through the cuts they can't do it yet unless I show signs.

I would prefer not to try Anti-Depressants as it is believed the last ones caused my illness, it is not proven yet so I'm war of going on medication.

ReallyTired I'm not showing any signs at the moment. I do see a nurse from the HV team as we are struggling with DD's behavior. I don't think I have ever met the new HV since she took over from the last HV 2years ago.

Thank you for the links I will look at them.

Mylittlepuds I've not heard of the role of progesterone. I will look into it.

I'm not on any vitamins as the Dr's are unaware of what vitamins do to my illness (it is rare) so I've been advised not to take any.

My diet is not very good as I can only keep chicken, pasta, noodles and wotsits down and as I have lost 4KG's weight in 10weeks the MW and consultants have advised to just eat what I want when I want to try and ease the sickness.

Congratulations on DC2.

loverofwine The psychiatrist I would see is someone who deals with pregnancy then when baby is 28days old they pass people over to other psychiatrists. Last time I saw her she kept me on until DD was 6months as she was worried about me.

MrsHelsBels74 Congratulations on the pregnancy :)

Thank you for all of the replies. :o I feel a bit better "talking" to people who has been there before. :)