PND treatment

[Empressofall]

Not sure how to word this but I'll give it a good go. I had my 2nd baby 8 weeks ago. I'm not doing well at all. I've crossed into some very harmful territory (my babies are safe. I would never ever hurt them. They are well cared for).
I'm not eating. I'm self harming. I'm just a mess.
I have an appointment with my GP in the coming weeks. I suspect she will throw "post natal depression" around. Two friends of mine who suffered with it have expressed that I am exhibiting symptoms. I havent bothered to Google. I can't face it.
What I need to know is... what happens if I speak openly to the GP about how I'm feeling and what I've been doing? How likely is she to contact Social Services and have my babies removed from me? Will I be sectioned?
If these are possibilities, I need to mentally prepare myself. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Oh OP I’m so so sorry you’re struggling. What will happen depends on what your individual situation is, but first and foremost all the GP will be doing is trying to help you. Social services do not take away babies simply due to their mum having PND, they only ever take children if their parents cannot look after them safely. You would also never be sectioned simply for having PND, the threshold for being sectioned is high and you would only ever be sectioned if absolutely necessary- for the vast majority of women who suffer with PND the outcome of the GP appointment is a prescription for anti-depressants and a referral for talking therapy. Please try not to worry, and talk honestly with your GP. Good luck OP you will get through this x

I don't know how likely it is to remove the baby sorry. They look out for signs for PND at the health visitor visits, too. Can you not phone your HV before and request a meeting to speed things up?

I also wanted to ask you if you can get any help from family or friends? Are you a single mom? If not d

Sorry pressed send too quick, no idea how to edit on the mobile app. Do you have any support? GP will advise but maybe the HV is faster?

Very hard to give precise advice esp in important personal issues like this, you are clearly anxious. Medical professionals will want you to be safe, well and care for your baby. I don't think you should fear being honest. Medical professional know a lot about PND these days. They will plan your care with you. You need help sooner rather than later. If you hold back re your symptoms, thoughts etc you might not get the right level of help and continue to struggle? Rely on people around you as well if you can.

You mention two friends suffered with it as well - they didn't have their children taken away (I assume!).

I had very severe PND. The HV had a member of the postnatal mental health team at my house within about 24 hours. Social services was never mentioned.

Communication between myself and my HV have broken down. She is useless. And actually not very nice. She was lovely to my husband but not to me.
She turned up an hour late to an appointment and I was so upset, I stayed in another room while Husband did the appointment. I hate her. She's condescending and a bit of a tw@. When I heard how nice she was to him (and actually helpful!), I cried for an hour. Why couldn't she be like that with me?
I've had no post natal care. I was left off the midwife list and had to chase up appointments. I clearly just don't matter.
I'm very worried about SS as my idiot twat faced "sister" had involvement with them during lockdown and it spilled over to me and so i was dealing with social workers regularly. It was the worst time of my life and i dont think ive ever really gotten over it. I don't feel like I can be open and honest because I won't survive another SS meeting. I won't. I'm worried the GP will run my name in the computer, see who my sister is and I'll be flagged. Does this happen?

Please go see your GP OP, 1 in 10 women have PND, they want to help you and there is support out there, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your HV.

There is unlikely to be any SS involvement, they only get involved where needed, but you do need support, try not to worry x

Hi op
social services are so over run removing a baby/child has to meet a very high threshold. Yours won’t meet it. You should speak honestly, is it likely you’ll be referred for assessment…maybe but being open with agencies helps. I have worked in child safeguarding for many years. X

The GP will have heard it all before. They won't automatically take your baby away. They might even ask if you've had any dark thoughts and I'd encourage you to be honest with them. A lot of PND can be treated in the community. If it is really bad they might consider a mother and baby unit.

I have asked DH to come to my appointment with me. I don't know why.
I want to tell him how bad I feel but I haven't got the words. I want to tell him about the self harm but I can't find a way of saying it. I don't want to blindside him.

Could you write it down?

How do you tell someone you love that you're hurting yourself on purpose?