Can you avoid getting PND..

[UCM]

Just wondering whether there are ways you can stop yourself getting this?

I don't think there are sure fast ways of preventing it, but I think there is alot you can do to reduce the risk of getting it, e.g :
*Having a positive birth experience,
*Feeling supported emotionally and physically post birth,
*Being able to rest so you don't get over tired. (Personally I find that it is post birth exhaustion that has got me before.)
*Having a good diet
*Getting some exercise
*Having company you enjoy and being able to talk about things that are bothering you.
*being aware of the danger signs so that you can take the appropriate action before things get on top of you.

That's all I can think of at the moment. I have have based these ideas on the reasons why I think on my 5th baby I DIDN'T get PND, but with the others I did to a greater or lesser degree.

Hi UCM waves

for me ... i knew if i got my VBAC , i would not get PND as it was triggered first time by emergency c/s! and went to to docs to ask for assurances they would help me , they did assure me and DH they would carefully monitor me before and after the birth to ensure that they could treat me the minute it looked as though PND coming....

and all that kitty says too..think positive birth experience really helps...

meant , didn't mean to shout!

s'ok LM, waves back.

having had depression for 10 years pre pregnancy, I was so convinced I would get pnd, but you know what I didnt!! I kept busy (hey had newborn!!) and went to as many groups, activites as remotely possible, so that I was not sitting in the house by myself with dd getting depressed.
Dont get me wrong I had normal periods of sadness and anxiety as any new mum has, but never had that awful sinking in the pit of your stomach feeling that I used to have. Thats my advice anyway, good luck x

Message withdrawn

I met a woman who was researching and putting together videos and information stuff about PND. In a rather brief conversation she said that one of the most significant factors SEEMED to be whether you had a supportive partner, and having no partner might be better than having an actively unsupportive one (please though remember this was preliminary stuff and NOT conclusive). Get your man trained now!

Actually, I really regret posting that. It was an incredibly informal conversation in the midst of a huge social gathering. It was sometime ago and she really wasn't sure of anything at the time. There are so many factors to take into account. Please ignore what I posted.

I do apologise.

Message withdrawn

I think being able to spend time with your baby and rest really helps. Feeling you should be "training" the baby to be away from you or having to stress about household things or ANYTHING made me feel awful. not that I have had PND, but I felt very wobbly at times.
In other cultures, mother and baby spend all their time together with other female family/friends doing all thework and looking after them. Interestingly, they don't have PND.