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Original poster

An injection given after birth to help prevent PND?

26 replies

megandsoph · 02/04/2007 09:43

Has anyone else been offered this?

My health visitor is lovely and currently coming round once a week as I seem to be getting very down about everything and anything lately. I have suffered with depression since the age of 18, (severe) at the time, which has seemed to raise its ugly head at times for the past 9 years.

Anyway HV wants to put a package together to do everything in her power to prevent PND, so has arranged for me to have an injection of somesort straight after birth to help prevent PND. She has arranged this as well as other things, but was wondering if anyone knows about this jab??

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 09:58

Huh?

I've not heard of this and wouldn't go for it based on the advice of an HV.

I'd ask the GP for a referral to a consultant psychiatrist if you have a history of depression.

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:13

She has discussed it with the MW and she agrees. I think it may have something to do with calming down the hormones once the baby is out.

She has already stated that she would like me to get on AD's again also. I have seen a psyciastrist in the past when I was in the army and it didn't help but then again that was when I 18. I have just muddled through since then, but this PG seems to be triggering at times massive bouts of it.

OP posts:
Incodnito · 02/04/2007 10:18

Never heard of such a thing, sure if there was such an injection wouldnt they give it to everyone?

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:24

She did say it's new. She is coming round on Thursday, will get the name of it it.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 10:27

HV's should not be treating depression of any sort.

'The midwife agrees'?

Um, no.

These two health professionals are NOT qualified to treat depression.

You need to talk to your GP about a referral to a psychiatrist.

zippitippitoes · 02/04/2007 10:29

is it progesterone?

"In women who have a history of PND, GPs sometimes prescribe the hormone, progesterone, as a way of preventing depression. This is given by injection immediately after birth in gradually smaller amounts. You then need to use progesterone pessaries until your periods start again. This is a fairly new treatment, but early results show that it can be helpful. Your GP will be able to give you more information."

from NHS direct website

expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 10:29

Also, are you planning on breastfeeding?

You need more information than just 'the midwife and HV agree'.

expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 10:30

Progesterone exacerbated my PND to the point of suicide.

You really need to talk to a doctor about this, especially as you have had depression that is not PND in the past.

zippitippitoes · 02/04/2007 10:32

I agree with expat

is there even a connection between pnd and depression?

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:36

HV said when I fist told her about my past Depression "oh I'm glad you told me this now, so I can look out for PND after the baby is born". That was months ago. since then I have gone down hill like I said and on her last visit last week she said about the package she will put together

Feckin hell I will be asking about it all on thurs. Will go see GP ASAP.

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 02/04/2007 10:40

It is good that they are concerned though. Presumably they are consulting with the gp.

zippitippitoes · 02/04/2007 10:41

I was genuinely asking if pnd and depression which occurs at other times were connected..I don't know the answer

ScummyMummy · 02/04/2007 10:43

There is some correlation between depression and pnd, I think, zippi. And quite a strong correlation between antenatal depression and pnd. But I agree that it would be good to talk to a doctor about this, megandsoph.

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:46

Aye its Clinical depression. When I was 18 Also ended up in hospital from failed suicide attempt, saw naval psyciatrist at Hazlar for 3 months, also on fluoxetine and a few other AD's, also found they didn't work. I had dd1 around 2 years later and just suffered my normal down weeks which I have done on off since. I had dd2 and it was the same PG I was happy most of the time. Although after she was born again went quite downhill and went to Civvy Gp on numerous occasions to be told your fine go away . This PG is just Gone mad suicidal thoughts around again and major pangs of guilt that i'm a shite mum have come roaring back, That keeping this baby was a bad idea, things like that & then I'm ok again for a few days. It's a fecking nightmare!!

OP posts:
MellowMa · 02/04/2007 10:47

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 10:51

IIRC, there are also different circumstances re: issues with the child's father and being a single mum.

These factors can also contribute to your feelings.

That's why it's important to see someone who's more qualified to discuss this with you.

In some people, progesten doesn't go over well. In others, it does, a doctor can work with you on that.

Also if you want to bf, the kind of medications you can take may differ.

ScummyMummy · 02/04/2007 10:52

Don't get me wrong, mands- your HV sounds absolutely great and it's fab she's identified that you have some red flags for pnd and is preparing to support you to prevent it or minimise its effects if it happens and generally is not brushing your mental health under the carpet. I do think it'd be good to have a chat with the GP as well though, especially if you have questions.

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:53

Thats the one Mellowma She said it would be given straight after the baby came out.

Glad i'm not the only ones heard of it I was starting to thin my HV had made the whole thing up

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 10:53

It was mentioned to me, too, BUT my consultant psychiatrist ruled it out because of past BAD experiences I've had with progesten.

I then tried a progesten-only birth control pill whilst taking ADs for PND.

It was very, very bad.

It can work for some, I suppose, but honestly merits further discussion with a consultant.

zippitippitoes · 02/04/2007 10:55

it is quite understandable too that you are in turmoil at the moment, you have an awful lot to worry about

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 10:59

Yep Expat have taken on alot which really has heightened it all I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 11:02

Am scared the Gp won't listen to me.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/04/2007 11:06

Is it a civvy GP?

You can also google PND. There are a number of sites dedicated to the disease, as well as antenatal depression, that may be able to shed more light on things.

Original poster
megandsoph · 02/04/2007 11:07

HV is the only person & yourselves, who I have talked about this to in a long time.

The two Gp's I have had since leaving the army in 2001 just made me feel like crap, so never bothered again and when I was down I used to just keep myself to myself for days/weeks at a time.

OP posts:
bubble78 · 02/04/2007 15:03

yes there is an injection you can have straight after birth to level out your hormones my friend with anti natal depression has been offered it when she gives birth