Post partum psychosis

[anxiousmum1998]

Hi All
I am currently pregnant with second baby my first was born in 2019 and I was diagnosed with BPD and PTSD in august 2024.when I had my son I had post partum depression but not psychosis .I take antidepressants for the PTSD .since being pregnant with my second people keep saying my BPD could cause post partum psychosis despite having no history of this and have no psychosis symptoms as part of the BPD.These people are not mental health professionals ( work colleagues)so know don’t a lot about BPD but seem to believe all the stigmas .This has worried me so what can I do during my pregnancy,labour and shortly after birth to prevent this .Would I have to be sectioned or go to a mother and baby unit if had this ?I have an autistic son so being away in a hospital or mother and baby unit would be really traumatic for him .would there be a way I could get treatment at home if this happened .?Given I didn’t have it with my first is it unlikely it will happen with my second so should ignore those people trying to worry me ?I would definitely feel better if I knew me getting this was unlikely as I didn’t get it with my first and would feel even better if I knew treatment at home would be an option.

I had post partum psychosis after the birth of my first child. I was not sectioned or put on a mother and baby unit.
It really depends on the severity.
Post party psychosis can happen to any mother. Underlying mental health conditions can raise the risks of it yes but it doesn't mean you'll definitely get it!
It's none of your work colleagues business.
Make sure you are communicating openly and honestly with your perinatal mental health team. If you do develop psychosis it needs to be caught early.
Mine only lasted a matter of days. It was very scary and upsetting and resulted in a longer stint of depression and anxiety. But I went on to have two more children, under the perinatal mental health team each time, and I did not experience post natal psychosis or depression with any birth but my first.
I was prescribed prn quitiapine 50mg to take after each birth if I felt there was any resurgence of symptoms.
Honestly I'd try not to worry. As long as you are being honest and seeking support when you feel you need it, if you do develop psychosis it will be dealt with quickly. There's a strong chance you won't experience it if you haven't had it with a previous birth. Please just don't let it cause you stress. Xx

First reply is spot on!
I have EUPD, three children, and never had PP psychosis.

It’s good you’re aware and asking the questions. Your perinatal mental health team should be able to answer them with your personal history in mind. But their focus is to get you as healthy as you can be mentally with support in place, and they can act fast if postpartum psychosis does happen. I’m sure they’re not trying to worry you unnecessarily? The risk is much higher with bipolar disorder (I believe up to 1 in 3 if untreated vs 1 in 1000 in the general population) but of course not guaranteed. Have a chat with your team about how to reduce the risk (some people are recommended medication in pregnancy for example). Treatment at home is always preferable if it’s safe. Some people choose to look around a mother and baby unit just to see it in pregnancy while well- it’s very different to a general psychiatric ward and that can be reassuring. All the best for your pregnancy x