Preempting post-natal depression?

[RhymingCrickets]

I have suffered from depression in the past, and have been having a difficult pregnancy in terms of my physical health; there's also been quite a bit of external stress as I've had to leave the abusive father of the baby. I'm due to give birth (as a single parent but with help from family) in a few months' time.

I feel that postnatal depression could well be on the cards, and am wondering if there are prophylactic measures I could be taking now to better prepare for it/be able to deal with it if it comes, or even to reduce the chance of it happening? Anything from diet to counselling to medication (though would prefer to avoid the latter).

I would be so grateful for the advice of anyone who has either been through this, or knows about the subject generally. Thank you!

Hi, I do know that women who get help earlier are supposed to have a better outcome. I've heard it can decrease recovery time and reduce symptoms. The earlier the better if that makes sense. I would have a chat to your GP about your options. Or at least let your midwife know you have a history of depression and that due to circumstance you're chances of getting it are increased. Prevention is better then treatment and if you are to suffer from it you'll be clued up on the right tools to use. You never know maybe you won't get it! Good luck op

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I was on anti D’s through my second pregnancy following PND which wouldn’t go away after my first. My GP said the risk of me being on them was less than the risk of me coming off them whilst coping with hyperemesis.

My hyperemesis turned out to be more severe with the second pregnancy resulting in me being signed off work from week 9 of my pregnancy.

I had no issues with PND after the second pregnancy.

Meant to add...! I'd book an appointment at GP. You may well not get it & it's great to hear you have supportive family. That will be a big help I reckon. But better safe than sorry.

Good luck op.

Hi OP - are you still under MH services at all? I wasn't, but when I was pregnant I was assigned a perinatal mental health nurse (about five days before my c section, as my surgery 'forgot' but that's the exception rather than the rule). She visited me in hospital, and once I was home, and I had her mobile number and access 24/7 to the maternal mental health ward if needed.

I was really ill after the birth of my son, severe post natal and whilst I never ended up on the ward (it was more anxiety that depression and I couldn't sleep which made it 10000 times worse) I had a lot of input from my mental health nurse and the community who encouraged me to get out and about. I also had a support worker who would (if needed) come with me to appointments if I was struggling.

My situation sounds really severe but everyone was wonderful and there was no threat of social services etc. I would definitely recommend you request help from a MH nurse and support worker as due to your circumstances that extra help would be really beneficial in light of your relationship breaking down too, as they can help with financial considerations etc.

Getting as much sleep as possible and eating well would be minor things you could adjust but newborns + sleep aren't synonymous with each other big piece of advice I never followed - don't give yourself a hard time on the things you thought you'd do but can't - I was determined to BF but I had appalling advice when in hospital which completely fucked the whole thing up and playing catch up lost me tonnes of sleep and huge amounts of anxiety. I beat myself up for ages about it and felt so guilty which made the anxiety worse, but it hindsight, fuck it - I was doing right by my son no matter how he was fed

Thank you all very much for sharing your advice and experiences. I'm not under MH services, but will flag things up with my midwife and GP, though a slight complication is I'm moving area shortly before or after the birth so it's trickier to set things up.

I'll make extra effort with eating and sleep too (though in the past they've been the first things to fall by the wayside when I've felt depressed!) So sorry to hear about the experiences you have had but glad you found ways of dealing with things. You all sound like amazing mothers.

I had horrendous PND after my first child so having twins the second time I was sure it would return.
I made sure my GP, community midwife and health visitor were well aware. I had several extra visits from them over the first couple of months to make sure I was doing ok. The PND didn't come back this time but if it did the best thing you can do is see your GP right away.