Lulumama, need some doula advise,

[HeinzSight]

Am thinking of hiring one for the postnatal period as am likely to have PND again.

Are doulas generally trained or prepared to deal with PND?

bump

hi

we did touch on supporting mothers with PND during our training. i personally had severe PND and have used that experience to assist other mums. Obviously, doulas are not clinicians and cannot diagnose or treat, but are good at picking up on things, and providing emotional support to mothers, i imagine that the vast majority of doulas will have experience of PND whether it is persoanl or from their work

i would contact some local doulas and explain and i am sure that you will be able to find someone with the right experience for you

FWIW, i did not have PND second time around.

also, doulas are very flexible and adaptable on the whole and can offer all sorts of help, practical and emotional

thanks Lulumama for posting

TBH it just hadn't occurred to me to think about a doula for the post natal period before. I didn't realise they offered that service.

I've looked at the doula uk website and it seems that doulas seem to offer the best all round package.

I truly am praying that i don't get it as bad next time round. It seemed to get progressively worse after each pregnancy, this is my 4th. But last time I'm sure it was compounded by my DH's accident which had happened less than a yr before DD was born. This has left him with a paralysed arm, so he's been unable to support as much as he did with our other 2 DC.

I found it all utterly heartbreaking watching him struggle with DD. He's SO amazing and never complains

have to go, DD has woken up and doesn't sound v happy!

sounds like oyu have both had a lot to deal with

another strategy is to see your GP and/or HV before you give birth and make sure they are on red alert for you, that you have a prescriptin waiting for you should you need one etc etc

hope all goes well for you this time

Am going to make an app to see my GP next week and ask for a referral to see a perinatal psychiatrist. I guess I'm fortunate that I have a good relationship with both my GP and HV and they both saw how bad I was after DD. So am sure they'll take it v seriously.