Postpartum psychosis

[Amelia0303]

Good evening. I’m writing this to see if anyone has gone through this before. My wife had an emcs 3 and a half months ago with various things going wrong. She subsequently has been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis.
She hasn’t been admitted to a mbu (don’t know why) so my mother in law and mum have been taking it in turns staying to help me.
We’re gwtting there but I was just wondering if anyone else hasn’t suffered or knows anyone who’s suffered from this? And how long it took To get back to normal?
Is been so hard and to be honest the thought of having a second child in the future scares the hell out of me.
Many thanks, j

I don't have personal experience of this specifically but do have some experience of perinatal mental health. Strongly advise you get in touch with the charity Action on Postpartum psychosis - have heard great things about them and their website very informative.

www.app-network.org/

I really think they can help you. So sorry you are all going through this but there is support available and you will get through this, x

Thankyou. I just read back over what I wrote and realised I made some mistakes in my tired state. We’re seeing a therapist and it’s really helping. I think for me it’s just a real shock to the system. Not how you imagine or planned for our first little one.that said, I wouldn’t change it as we now have a beautiful baby girl. Just been thrown in at the deep end!

Having a baby with the best of circumstances is challenging enough, having perinatal mental health issues on top of that is just so hard. Get in touch with that charity , they offer peer support and general support that I think could really benefit you

I had psychosis but secondary to severe PND. I was twice offered admission to MBU but declined as I was lucky my DH could take compassionate leave. If it is something you both feel would be helpful then I would definitely push for it. Unfortunately it seems that perinatal mental health services are massive pot luck.

My DD is 18 months old and the whole experience has taken a massive toll on me, DH and our relationship. Mostly I hate the thought that he has seen me in such a paranoid state. Then there’s the inevitable lack of self-care that makes me feel pretty ugly and medication killing my libido. I’m getting there, but still ups and downs (often due to hormonal changes that I literally have no control over). However I remember feeling so distressed at 5 months imagining that I would never be well enough to return to work, and here I am! I’m not sure I will ever be “back to normal”. Of course, maybe that’s the same for all new parents. However I know that a huge issue for me now is what I can only describe as a “secondary ptsd” where I’m traumatised by the trauma of how ill I was (if that makes any sense?!). Eg I don’t remember anything of my DDs first 3 weeks - just horrible snapshots, beliefs that DSis was trying to trick her away from me, walking to a bridge in my pyjamas. I can never have that time back and it scares me how out of control I was for 5 months, how I don’t know what was real and what was paranoid delusions. I don’t think you can ever “go back” after an experience like that.

Please hold your wife tightly and talk to her honestly. Whether it’s to tell her you still adore her or if it’s to tell her how scared you are. It kills me that DH is forever trying to minimise how awful it was and I guess brush off what must have been a terrifying situation for him. We have however agreed that we won’t have more children. DD was IVF anyway, but I couldn’t put her and DH through that again.

Sending you lots of strength, it’s an absolutely crap time, but it does get better x

Hello, I just saw this, sorry. Yes, I had postpartum psychosis. Mine didn't last as long as 3.5 months (well, probably some after-effects lasted much longer, but not the psychosis itself). Even so, it was the most traumatic experience I've ever been through. Totally fine now though. Things do get much better. My child is awesome 
I haven't (yet?) had a second child, am very undecided on that.
How are you and your wife and daughter doing now? Did you find support on APP? Hope you're all coping ok