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Original poster

Post natal depression

7 replies

Poog · 08/04/2004 18:35

I was wondering whether anyone can give me any advice regarding post natal depression. I have 2 children, after my first I had it quite badly although I refused to admit it and spent all day every day in tears for months, after my second I was fine until he reached about 8 months old then I got very depressed again this time I sought help and was put on prozac which after a few weeks really helped. We are now considering having a third child but I am quite concerned about the depression coming back again and possibly being worse. Does anyone have any experience regarding this, if you have had PND in the past does it mean you are likely to get it again, and does it get worse each time? Any advice gratefully recieved, thanks

OP posts:
twiglett · 08/04/2004 20:39

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Ghosty · 10/04/2004 08:01

I am bumping this thread up too for you Poog ...
I don't know that much about it except that I was on antidepressants by the time DS was 8 weeks old but this time I have managed to get to 9 and a half weeks with no symptoms of depression at all .... so I guess it doesn't always follow that you will get it every time.
I do know that some people have had medication during pregnancy (I think it is hormone treatment of some kind) if they have a history of PND ... but I don't know any more than that.

I hope that somebody comes up with some answers ...

Flip · 10/04/2004 09:28

I had severe post natal depression after my first and was terrified of it returning. As a result of the depression I never really bonded with ds1. So when I started to feel a little bit down after ds2 I sought help immediatly. I was put on a small dose of cipralex and it took effect within only a couple of days. I don't feel depressed at all and I'm really enjoying being a mum this time around. IMO if you think there's a chance of depression returning after birth then I'd take medication within a couple of weeks of giving birth. I've been told by the GP, MW, HV that the longer the depression goes on the harder it is to treat. Mine was caught very early with ds2 and I feel totally in control even though he's a sickly baby. If I had a third then I would definitley take antidepressants after giving birth.

Janstar · 10/04/2004 10:05

I had PND with my first child and like you was terrified when my second and third were born, but it did not recur.

The great thing is that, if it does, you will be looking out for it and will be able to nip it in the bud. Good luck!

bron42 · 12/04/2004 16:26

I had PND with my first DD but didn't really know/admit it until she was approx. 8 months old. I have written an article about my experience featured in the online magazine "families" -
\link familiesonline.co.uk/article/static/419{}. It took me 18 months before I could even contemplate another baby because of the way I felt about being a mother, not bonding with my DD, seeing other mothers looking so happy, etc. But our DS was conceived unexpectedly and from that day on I told myself that whatever happened I would be prepared for the feelings that PND gave me first time around but I told myself this time it would not happen. I talked to myself throughout the pregnancy and was positive about everything that hadn't gone well first time i.e. birth, recovery time, giving up work,isolation of being at home. I have been able, through this positivity to have had no PND second time around. My son is now 15 months old and I feel lucky that I have experienced motherhood for what it should be - positive,joyful, enriching. I really believe you can make a difference to what you will experience if you have these positive thoughts. And even, if the worse happens, you can at least be more prepared, you can reach out for the help that is there (e.g. APNI, MAMA, NCT,local support groups) and you will know that it does not last forever, it does go eventually and you can enjoy being a mother at some point when the symtoms have gone.

tangomum · 13/04/2004 16:56

I had PND a bit with my first and very bad with the second so thought long and hard about number three. Eventualy plucked up the courage and didn't get PND. I was very careful to look after myself , kept well nourished, didn't take on too much, took any help that was offered and extracted a promise from my husband that we would not move house or make any major life changes in the first year. I also kept in close contact with my GP and agreed that I would take anti-depressants at the first sign, but infact it was the most joyest year ever after the birth of my third. It,s a risk but worth taking. If it does happen again at least you will see it coming and get early treatment before it gets really bad. Good luck!

majorstress · 14/04/2004 10:33

I didn't have it at all the second time around, very severe the with first one. Also now you know how to handle it believe it or not.

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