PND the first time, shall I expet to suffer from it again with #2 ?

[SabineJ]

With DS, I have suffered from PND, even if it actually hasn't been diagnosed by the HV at the time. (GP did diagnose it at the 6 weeks check but said nothing else than "Come back if you still feel low". I was already so lost that i never though about it again until I started to get beeter 9 months after).
I am expecting #2 and I am terrified to suffer from PND again as the first 3 months of the pregnancy have been a very bad reminder of the first months with DS. What is your experience ? If you suffered from PND the first time round, did you also have it with #2 ?

Hi Sabine. I think it is fairly common to suffer PND with subsequent pregnancies. I had PND with all four of mine. The good news is that IF you do suffer it again, you should spot it early on and be able to get treatment earlier. I have heard that taking Omega3 during pregnancy can help reduce your chances of having PND. No experience of that myself (as found out about it much too late!!) but it is worth a try. Ofcourse, everyone is different and hopefully you will find that you do not have it again. xx

Sabine, I had severe pnd after my second baby but it didn't recur with my two subsequent babies. I'd recommend that you prepare yourself by being informed on the subject pnd but don't actually expect it to recur. You may be pleasantly surprised! Good luck.

Try taking fish oils and eating more oily fish (ie salmon, mackerel, sardines). There have been numerous studies linking PND - and other forms of depression - to low levels of Omega 2 fatty acids. Also a decent multi-vit and mineral supp. They might not work for you but worth a try, I think.

I also had PND after the birth of #1 and was given hormone balancing medication to regulate my hormones (which they said were causing the PND). I was diagnosed within two weeks of giving birth which is why they decided to try this treatment on me first before resorting to anti-depressants. There is some doubt as to whether or not this hormone treatament works, but it certainly did the job for me (obviously not straight away). Apparently some cases of PND are linked to the sudden drop in hormone when the placenta is delivered (I think this is right!) so this hormone treatement helps to correct the balance. My HV told me that if I decide to have #2 then they would give the treatment immediately following the birth so that my body wouldn't really register the drop in hormone and (hopefully) the PND would not occur or would be less severe than before. Perhaps you could talk to your midwife / health visitor about it?

Thanks a lot all for the infos.
I think I will try to increase the Omega3 in my diet and just see what will happen.
No chance with GP. I already have asked her the question and the answer was : "Don't worry. you do not have more chance to have PND the second time around and the first". but lot less chances either ... so I will go for the should feel better by trying to do soemthing about it !!
Again, thanks a lot for your help !

A one a day fish oil supplement is a very good idea IMO. Good for the developing baby's brain too. You need to start taking it in pregnancy as it takes time to build up sufficient concentration in your body. At worst, it won't work, at best it could benefit you and the baby. good luck.