Support for PND please

[jeanstone]

Hi everyone

Forgive the long post...
Just looking for some support from others who might have gone through same as me.

I recently had a baby, our 2nd child, and have been suffering with depression and anxiety pretty much since day one after he was born (I actually think it started to happen at end of pregnancy).

I am breastfeeding and one of the main triggers for my anxiety is that my newborn will catch something such as a virus that may be fatal - I tell myself that the antibodies in my breast milk will help prevent this. However I know that I really need to begin anti depressants to fix my depression and I don't want to take these whilst breastfeeding as don't like the idea of them passing over to my son. I am told they only cross over in small amounts however who really knows if there could be long term damage as I don't think any long term studies have been carried out.

I am severely anxious and unsure of next steps. I see below as my options;

1. Continue breastfeeding and not take ADs so I can protect my sons health with my milk (however i am sure by doing this my depression and constant crying will continue)

1. Stop breastfeeding and take ADs knowing these will improve my mental health but then my son is more likely to get unwell without breast milk

1. Take sertraline (this is the AD they say passes over to milk in least amounts) and continue to breastfeed. However in my eyes this risks getting into my sons system and impacting him long term.

Drs would say option 3 is best as they never recommend stopping Bf'ing if you want to continue.

Feeling very alone, it's impacting my relationship with my partner - currently we're not speaking and I don't think he's being sympathetic at all - think he's just fed up of my and my mood. I want to stay in bed all of the time but it's not an option to hide away as I have a toddler and the newborn to look after.

Any advice will be greatly welcomed and appreciated will hopefully make me feel less alone in all of this.

Thanks everyone xx

I'm sorry that you are suffering so much @jeanstone

Some things that might help are:

Talking to the BFing Network's drugs in BM service. They will give you fat more information on the Doctor or MW on any risks with taking AD's
[[https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk/#:~:text=If%2520you%2520require%2520breastfeeding%2520support,Helpline%2520on%25200300%2520100%25200212.%E2%80%9D
I'd also talk to the pandasfoundation.org.uk PANDAS foundation]] today so that you can get some help from Women who have experience PNI.

I'm not sure exactly how they is your LO is but you will probably have already given them the benefit of all of your colostrum. Woukd moving over to Combi feeding help you? That way LO would still get antibodies from you but your "D"P will be doing some of the feeds.

I’m sorry that you’re going through all of this, just know that you are not alone And you will get through this. You are doing wonderfully And your concern shows just how much you care.

For me, personally I would continue breastfeeding without AD as I think for me, I would worry about The medicine passing through to my baby. However, I would look into maybe attending some counselling or therapy sessions to try to help me with my feelings. of course every mum is different and every story is different so do not feel like that is what you need to do.

At the end of the day, you need to also look after yourself as well as your children. As you are their lifeline and so if you need to take AD to help you get through this stage then do not feel any guilt for doing that. As mums we are not just responsible for our children, but also responsible for making sure that we are in a place where we can take care of our children. It’s a lot to juggle so mums should do what they needs to do without judgement or fear of judgement.

Do you have any friends or family that you can maybe talk through this with as these are some potentially big decisions?

You’ve got this x

How are you today @jeanstone?