Mental health admission

[MissM2B]

Looking for some advice/understanding/experiences

I am 24 weeks pregnant and for the past few months, I have noticed that my mental health has taken a real dip.
With my first pregnancy, I experienced post natal depression and had intrusive thoughts at the time, mainly centred around me not feeling good enough and not being able to cope.

I have sought out help with the support of my partner, as the intrusive thoughts have returned and been quite intense. I was being seen by the community mental health team, and started on medication.

Today, I had a telephone assessment with a perinatal psychiatrist, who recommended I start on another medication. But she also recommended a voluntary admission to hospital as she is concerned about the dark thoughts I am having - with concern for baby and myself.

This has thrown me into a bit of a dilemma. I’m scared about voluntarily admitting myself, and being away from my husband and son. It’s a horrible time and the idea of being away from them is worrying for me, but I’m not sure if it will be of benefit in the long run by focusing on getting better.

Theres also things to think about like my work - who have no idea that these issues are happening at the moment and worry about other people’s perceptions, as currently the only 2 people who know about the situation are my partner and myself.

Has anyone had any experience/support/help they could give?

I'm sorry I haven't got any advice but sending a hug and bumping for you x

Hi sorry you are having such a tough time.

If you think will feel safer going in for a few days do it.

You can't possibly know what other people will think and anyway what matters is you prioritising getting support.

Do you know if its a mother and baby unit or a usual psychiatric hospital? My advice differs depending x

They’ve said that because I’m only 24 weeks they wouldn’t put me on a mother and baby unit. It would be a generic mental health ward. @Hopinghonestly

If you could wait till a mother and baby unit, i would. Mental health professionals in a unit are trained for the complexities of conditions impacted by pregnancy and hormones ect. My treatment under general and perinatal were wildly different..perinatal much more sensitive and worthwile in such situations. Also a general ward i would worry how vulnerable you are especily pregnant, most wards are male and female, you cant predict the other patients. Feeling vulnerable and dealing with a big chap for example in full blown psychosis is very different to the environment in a setting of fellow soon to be mums. You get all sorts of situations and presentations in general. If you are too at risk to wait for mother and baby, i would ask what safeguarding will be put in place for you. Such as if it is an old ward with shared bathrooms or ensuite. Little things make have so much more impact when also dealing with pregnancy x

Just to say aswell there are some female only wards, make sure if you do go to general you specify for this and dont get swept into the take what comes up line. I just think you need to feel as calm as possible. :)

This is great advice, OP. I was here to say exactly the same.

Sending solidarity. I really struggled with intrusive thoughts throughout pregnancy and particularly after birth. Sleep deprivation massively worsened them - actually I think it caused them - so please do prioritise rest, not necessarily through an admission. Of course spend time with your little one but forget about housework and things like that. It’s not important. Eat well (fruit and veg, balanced meals) and drink lots of water too. I know it sounds like rubbish advice but it helps.

I found being transparent with my husband, best friend, siblings and mum about my intrusive thoughts put them out there and a problem shared really did feel like a problem halved. They were instantly shot down by my loved ones for what they were: intrusive thoughts. This helped me distinguish them from the reality, which was me trying to be the best mum I could. So keep talking, including here if it helps.

All the best, OP. I hope you can soon look back at this period and reflect on how differently you feel.