Post-natal depression has put me off having another...

[starlight99]

Hi all
My DD is 2 now and starting to feel the pressure to start trying for a 2nd...
However I am really scared!
I had a horrific labour with loads of complications and was in hospital for 9 days.
Then at 6 weeks I developed severe post-natal depression and was hospitalised in a mother-and-baby mental health unit, where I stayed for nearly 3 months.
It was the most awful experience of my life.
Whilst I love my little girl to bits, I just can't face the thought that I might go through all that again.
But I know my husband would like another, and I also would like my little girl to have a sibling. Is it selfish to not want anymore??

Hi, I have a 3yr old daughter and a 5month old and I had post-natal depression when my first daughter was 3months old.
I was terrified it would happen again but I have felt completely different this time round!
I had a CS first time round after planning a home birth and while pregnant with number 2 we took Hypnobirthing classes which really helped eleviate fear about second birth.
While you have to do what feels right for you I just wanted to say that for me having a second child has helped me to move on from the experiences I had first time round.

Don't think it's selfish at all not to want another, especially after what you've been through. If you want another, you go for it. If you don't, well ... you don't

You don't have to decide this now in any case. Why not wait a while and see how your feelings pan out on it?

I have one DD - and her premature birth and my subsequent PND are big factors in not wanting another. I sometimes think it'd be nice for her to have a sibling, but for me that's not enough reason alone when I could go through these things again and I'm not totally sure I want another anyway.