Mums who have been on a mother and baby unit, can I have some messages of hope please?

[MumNo2]

I've been admitted to a mother and baby unit recently, and it feels very surreal to be here and tough to see how I get back to normal life after this. I'd love to hear some messages of hope and support from mums who have been through an MBU and come out the other side, and to hear that you go onto live a happy and fulfilled life with your children.

I hope that there is support on the MBU about what’s on the other side when you’re well again? I haven’t gone through this myself, but a lovely friend of mine did. She had bipolar and developed postpartum psychosis and it was all very public. It was a very dark time for her and for her husband. She went on to have another child a few years later, and she’s a wonderful mum to her two! She loves her children more than anything and my goodness they love her too. Their lovely family made me feel so broody, so I had children of my own not long after.

I am so sorry that you’re unwell, but so glad that you are in a place where you will be safe and looked after. Well done for having your baby and well done for staying on the MBU to get better!

Like the previous poster I don't have personal experience but I do have a friend who was very, very unwell after the birth of her second child and spent quite a long time on an MBU. It certainly wasn't plain sailing for her and it took a long time until she was well again, but she is well now, back at work, raising her family and experiencing highs and lows like every Mum does. But the awful times that she experienced are in the past.
I know she is still in touch with some of the other Mums she was in the unit with and meets up with them from time to time. From what she's told me they're all now home with their families. Some are still receiving support from community services, others like my friend have been discharged fully.
I know if my friend was on here she'd tell you that there were times when she felt totally hopeless and that there was no light at the end of the tunnel. She certainly couldn't envisage ever having the life she has now. But with time, and the treatment she needed things gradually started to change.
I hope that soon you too are looking back on this difficult time and seeing how far you have come.

My mum was in a mother & baby unit with me after she suffered postpartum psychosis.

I was only a baby so don’t remember but they looked after us both really well, and after mum was better we came home and everything was absolutely fine.

Please take all the care they can offer you and your baby, you’re in the best place to get better, lots and lots of love xx

I was for 3 weeks with DS when he was born. They were all amazing if a little strict but I liked that, made me feel safe. You’ll be fine.

A close friend of mine was on a mother and baby unit with her first, as she had extreme postpartum anxiety. She found it hard to accept at first, but ultimately enormously helpful. She had a good experience of psychotherapy there - very kind and very skilled and understanding.

They were there for an extended bit at first then came home for a weekend, and then gradually for longer and longer periods until she was well enough to be supported at home. She and her family are all doing really well now, several years on, and she has close and happy relationships and solid bonds with her kids.

Hey @MumNo2, hope you’re doing ok today x

I had to stay in normal mental health hospital for three months when baby unit did not have any beds. 7 month year old baby was abruptly stopped breastfeeding. I am quite bitter about it.