Another baby- Fear of PND again

[Blueberry Crumble]

I had SEVERE anxiety and PND for months after ds was born- I have always had anxiety issues but I was never this bad in my life. I couldnt funtion, and it took months to recover.

Now everything is great (touch wood) I love to think about having another baby and really do want another baby one day. But I am scared of going through all that again. Even though, I would go through it a hundred times over to have ds.

Has anyone else with PND worried about getting it again with subsequent babies???

[Oblena]

My sister had PND with both her boys. However, the doctors and MCHN were onto it much earlier with the second because of the diagnosis with the first. They were checking her from about week 35/36 pregnancy.

Obviously not all who have PND with #1 get it with others, but if you have had it any doctors etc who work with you most probably will be checking you for signs much earlier and not leave it so long if symptoms are there.

Sorry I can't offer much more info

[rollercoastermum]

Hi

It is certainly a hard decision to make and one that I didnt take in to account after having PND with my first Bub...I actually had PND after each bub (7 children) and ante-natal depression with number 7...
The pregnancy of number 7 would have been my worst one out of them all.
I think if you DO decide to go on to have another child that you can be aware of the signs and maybe you can se your dr before the baby is born and get some advice.
I'd let my care givers know about my history and see how it goes.
Unfortunately we dont have alot of say in what happens and what doesnt when it comes to metal illnesses.

Wishing you well on your decision.

Goodluck..:thumbsup:

[bronny-jane]

i had PND after dd 1 and it carried through my pg with dd2... such a hard time...... i was so scared i would get it again after dd3.... but no i feel like a pro:D .... i did get the baby blues in hospital.. cause dh didnt come to visit me and i cried for a few minutes.... but nothing else... it was a relief... dont go into it thinking it will happen:thumbsup: keep positive

[3SPUNKRATZ]

i had it pretty severely with DS. and i must say, i WAS terrified of it happeneing again. i am still a little worried, but not terrified anymore as i just remember the support i had and still have. plus, i went and saw a naturopath and PND was gone in a month. i have already decided that i will be making an appt with the naturopath before bub is born for about 4 wks after bub is born, maybe even earlier. now, to get pregnant!!!! haha

[Wivi]

Hi Chocolate Mudcake,

I am in the same boat as you I'm afraid. I don't have any answers yet but I have spoken about it at length with those who cared for me while I was going through the PND. I know I have a strategy for when we decide to have another baby but I still worry about it quite a bit.

I am very interested in what the naturopath did for MummytoMarius though - how long did you have the PND before you saw the naturopath?

[Wish_Bear]

Hi Chocolatemudcake... I felt exactly the same as you when DD was 2. I suffered PND quite badly with her. I was feeling great, everything was kicking on well and so we decided to have another bub. I was petrified about getting PND with number 2. I asked my doctor and she did tell me there is no link to say that if you have PND with your first then you will definately get it with your subsequent children. I did have PND with number 2 but that was mainly due to the fact that my DH is in the Navy and he was away for 8 months of DS's first year.

All I can say is you will be more aware of the signs of PND, don't be upset or ashamed if it happens again, get help asap.
But in saying all this you will hopefully be fine and do a brilliant job as you have done with your little DS.

Sorry if I've rambled a little :o

[Wish_Bear]

i had it pretty severely with DS. and i must say, i WAS terrified of it happeneing again. i am still a little worried, but not terrified anymore as i just remember the support i had and still have. plus, i went and saw a naturopath and PND was gone in a month. i have already decided that i will be making an appt with the naturopath before bub is born for about 4 wks after bub is born, maybe even earlier. now, to get pregnant!!!! haha


What did the naturopath give you??

[Scout]

CMC - there's also another thread about this. You might find some of this info helpful too. :D

Other thread (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=89684)

Good luck - it's not an easy decision to make.

[bronlovesrob]

Hi there,
I had a cousin who had very bad PND and couldn't even get out of bed in the morning or do basic things like the grocery shopping. she suffered major panic attacks, and life was pretty hard for her, her husband and new bubs for a good year. However she finally went and saw a fantastic doctor, who put her on medication and she was back to her self within a few months.
They decided to have another baby last year, and she is due next month. She is feeling quite nervous, but happy they decided to have another one. She said this time, if she suffers and depression she will ask for help straight away. Her doctor did tell her, just because she had it once, doens't mean she'll have it again.

It's not an easy decision!
good luck honey,
Bronx

[fire~fly]

I completely understand where you are coming from coz i had it really bad with DS and am scared of having it again, but i know what the signs are now and so does my hubby and everyone around me, so i wont be "proud" again and try and pretend everything is fine.
I didnt get diagnosed until DS was 3-4 months old, so i feel that ive missed out on that crucial part of his life because i hated being a mum and i hate to say it but i hated my husband and my son too. I will definitely be doing everything in my power to not go through that again.

Good luck to you, and make sure all your care-givers know about your previous PND so they can keep a close eye on it this time round.
:hugs:

[3SPUNKRATZ]

I am very interested in what the naturopath did for MummytoMarius though - how long did you have the PND before you saw the naturopath?

hi. sorry it took so long to reply. basically i realised i had it when i had a horrible thought about my DS. i cried my eyes out and called my mum. she gave me the support i needed. anyway, i went to the dr and he gave me anti-depressants. i had an allergic reaction 2 hours after taking my first tablet and spent the next 26 hours after that basically 'acid flashbacks' as my sister calls it. i was to scared to try any other tablets and outright refused them when the doc offered them. i then went to the naturopth. DS was about 4 mths. she did all these simple body tests, looked in my eyes and worked out a tablet right for my body and what i needed. i also changed my diet to help. i will definately be going again after the next bub. even if its just to help my body settle after having a baby.

[MellyMumma]

Hi Choccy Mud

I had severe pnd after dd1 and had to go onto antidepressants while I was preg with dd2 (they're only 13 months apart). After dd2 I had slight/very mild depression nothing like the first. dd3 I think I may have had baby blues, nothing drastic just for a few days, if that. I then had a m/c in dec last year and seemed to handle it really well untill a few months ago when I started suffering anxiety and panic attacks. I have suffered depression since being a teen and have been on and off meds for it. I put it down to a bad childhood due to bad parents. I haven't had anything to do with them since just after dd1 was born and my life has improved drastically. I feel like I need more support than what I've got. If you have a good support system and doctor then you should be right. You may not have any trouble at all. If you want another baby don't worry about what might be. Be happy about what will be - a beautiful baby. Goodluck with it, it's worth it, I'm trying for another.

Hugs and kisses
Mel:hugs:

[brookeme]

I was fine with ds but after dd I was depressed and since I have suffered pre-natal depression 3 times ( I didnt make it to the post part with the last pregnancies)But it is definately part of the final decision to go #3.Along with a few other not so great issues!
I feel the same on the pill.My Doc said that some people are just more sensitive than others to those hormones.:barf:
Who knows you might not have even 1 bad day and most of all you are totally aware of it! So you can get onto it straight away. Good luck with your choice.