what will happen if I tell Dr about my PND?

[teabags]

DS2 is 4 weeks old , I also have DS1 22 months. I was the happiest person throughout my 1st pregnancy and beyond but this time has been very different. I am very low, tearful, feelings of worthlessness etc etc. I am too scared to go to my Dr and tell her how I feel for fear of what might happen. I am bf and don't want tablets that mean I can't bf and I am too scared to admit anything in case things are taken out of my control. Yet at the same time I think I need some sort of help but it's so difficult to say to anyone "in authority" how I am feeling other than "fine" and smile and put on a brave face.

Oh honey, I'm sorry.

There are antidepressants that can be taken safely while breastfeeding. I know Zoloft (Sertraline) is the one they tend to prescribe first, but I think Prozac is ok too and a third one - other MNers will be able to tell you about them.

Things won't be taken out of your control if you talk to your doctor - they should be able to help you. Please do get some help. You don't have to struggle through this.

{{hugs}}

The best thing you can do is go to GP and be honest. Same as you would for... ac hest infection. If you have PND, it's an illness and is treatable. There is no shame in it. I know it's hard, but, try and be honest with GP. They aren't mind readers (took me 2 years to work that one out!). I had "regular" depression but had it post natally aswell, and was on citalopram whilst breastfeeding. THings are rarely reacted upon like to an extreme... they won't come and take your baby away for being abit ill! I was terribly ill with depression, suicidal and could hardly cope day to day and they still said DS was the happiest and well looked after baby they had seen. They don't just come and grab babies off depressed mothers . Go and be honest, and get the help you deserve. I do find the longer I go unmedicated, the worse it seems to get. You might only be on medication a short while anyway, and then be back to "noraml". I am not sure if or how long depresison takes to "clear up" unmedicated. Sorry, I am rambling abit. Go to GP I am sure there is a statistic somewhere of the amount of mothers who gets PND - 1 in 4 or something like that. xXx {{hugs}} xXx

thank you, just reading your messages makes me teary, you are so kind and reassuring
I do feel a sense of shame and failure and all of those things. I have an appt next for my 6 week check and will try and let the GP know how I am feeling

Please talk to your GP, I left it for months as I envisaged men in white coats etc but the releif when she handed me that box of tissues and shock, spoke to me like a human being not a two headed monster was amazing.

teabags, there's no 'shame', it is just an illness, and a common one at that - you can get help AND you will get better. You don't have to wait until your 6-week check up either and if you would find it easier, try telling your HV first.
Some areas have special antenatal groups for mums who are suffering with PND, there may be one you can go to.
There are many people here who have 'been there' so even if you feel you can't talk to other people in RL about how you are feeling, there is always an 'ear' on here.
But please don't be scared of telling your GP. {{hugs}}}

THERE IS NO SHAME!

and yes, if it comes to taking ADs, you can take them whilst breastfeeding. Sertraline is the most commonly prescribed ones but there are others.

I would say get it sorted out now, the longer you leave it the worse it can become. And don't think that everyone else is doing marvellously and coping so well either - you'd be suprised how many people suffer from PND or severe 'baby blues' and successfully conceal it by putting on a brave face because they feel scared of telling anyone. I wish I'd known how many of my friends were also struggling when I had PND; I only found out much later.

Also, write down everything you want to discuss and take the list into the doctors with you if you think you're going to have trouble telling the doctor. It helps you to remember everything and you can always just hand it to her if that's easier.

Good luck