Has anybody successfully had 2nd baby after PP?

[malibu]

Hi im new to this site and was just looking for some advice off anybody that has gone on to have a 2nd baby after puerperal psycosis.  I gave birth to a gorgeous little boy in May 2008 within 10 days of giving birth I started having a manic episode and was sectioned.  I was admitted to a mother & baby unit where my psycosis set in, I was having really crazy thoughts and suffering from extreme paranoia, I spent 6 weeks in hospital and was given antipsycotics to which luckily kicked in quite quickly. Once leaving hospital I became severly depressed which at times was worse than the psycosis, I was then put on antidepressants.  However life is now good Im back at work part time and enjoying my son, im still on a small dose of the antipsycotics and gradually reducing my antidepressant, I see my CPN every 3 weeks which has been a great help.  My big question is when to start trying for baby no 2, I would love to hear from anybody who has gone on to have another baby, how they were after giving birth, what treatment they were given etc.

[jane71]

Hiya

I had pp with both my 1st and 2nd child, the age gap was 5 years, this wasn't my ideal but i was told while i was on anti-physcotics if i did fall pregnant it would harm the baby, so i left it until i was mentally fit and well , this worked out okay as my 1st child was then starting school. when i opted to have another it was arranged for me to see a specialist midwife at my local hospital, and soon as my 2nd child was born i was put on medication straightaway(night of the birth) , i had my own room at the hospital and they took the baby away at night to feed , soi could get my rest. i did get pp again approx 4-5weeks after the birth . although it wasn't until a couple of months later i was admitted into the local physciatric unit (stay approx 2weeks), it has taken me a good year to get back to my old self, i am still on medication now and my 2nd child will be 2 1/2 this month, it just takes time, i was prepared for it and knew what to look out for, and i had a care plan in place for me this time round. i still see my cpn every 6weeks.
i would say to go for it, you will notice yourself how you are feeling and my family were all aware of what to look out for, it is destressing at the time, but i look at my 2nd child now and i think they were worth it...
take care
jane

[malibu]

Hiya Jane

Thanks for your reply all advice good or bad is greatly appreciated,  I am working on a care plan with my CPN, it sounds like yours was good advice ie for the midwives to take baby at night to feed so you can get some rest.  Sleep was a major part of my illness as i never slept for 10 days after giving birth, my psychosis set in 2 weeks after giving birth.  I hope i would recognise some of the signs of the illness returning myself so would know what to look out for, I also have a supportive family who would be there to notice any warning signs.  I dont think PP has put me off having another baby I just dread to think of having to go through such a traumatic horrendous experience to get another baby but like you say it will be worth it in the end!! It too took me 12months to get back to my normal self thats why Im thinking of giving myself until next year to start trying so im definately mentally fit and prepared.

Kind Regards

[diane]

Hiya

I had pp following the birth of my son, in April 2008, i was admitted to a mother and baby unit for 6 weeks, suffering from psychosis. I've just come off my anti psychotic medication in the last 2 weeks and like you am anxious it may happen again if I have another baby. I have been told by my care team, that I would be monitored throughout my pregnancy and would probably be put om med's straight after giving birth. My doctor has said also that there is no way of knowing if it will happen again, but at least this time I will know the signs and those around me will too, which will hopefully mean it won't be so scary.
Sleep was a big thing for me too. I told my Dr, partner, family that I wasn't sleeping, but I don't think anyone realised how bad it was, I don't think I slept for about 10-12 days after the birth, so  to getting some good rest in the hospital would be great.
I think also with it just being your second baby, you maybe won't be so anxious because you've done it before, I think that will help me anyway.
I hope it doesn't put you off, they are so worth it.

best wishes
Diane

[malibu]

Hi Diane

Thanks for your reply how you feeling after coming off your antipsycotics I know its early days but thats my next hurdle, im currently on 5mg of Aripiprazole.  I had my psychosis in May 2008 so have been on them near enough the same time as you, did you gradually reduce your dose, were you recommended to come off them?  I would love to come off mine just to feel totally my normal self again without having to take medication, especially with the side effects ie putting on weight!!!

[diane]

Hiya

I did reduce my dose for a good long while, was only on 2.5mg olanzapine for the last 6 months. I have been feeling fine, but have felt it harder to get to sleep. I'm also hoping that the weight will start to come off now!
Just take is slow and go with what your doctor says , thats what I did anyway.
Good Luck.

Diane

[fanacapants]

Hello,

I had PP 3 months after my son was born in July 2007. I have been on both Olanzapine (anti-psychotic) and Citalopram (anti depressants) following the low depression after the manic phase of PP.

I'm not on anti depressants anymore but exactly 2 years on I am still taking a very low dose of Olanzapine. (1.25mg) Unfortunately this May I had a re-lapse after coming off anti-psychotics for about a month and had the onset of psychosis after becoming hyper manic and then manic. I'm trying to wean myself off Olanzapine but find that I get a bit hyper every time I do. Also Psychiatrist thinks I may have bi-polar disorder and has advised that I take a mood stabiliser but I want to see if I can come off medication altogether before going down that route.

I find even the slightest change in dose of my anti-psychotic can change my mood and make me feel very lethargic and low. When on anti-psychotic I also find it difficult to think/ concentrate particularly at work.

Anyway ... thinking of baby no 2. My husband and I have had chats about it and we are going to wait until our son has started school or there abouts. I want to be really well before getting pregnant again and i think i still have a bit of a way to go before I get there.

Jane sounds very sensible. With going on medication straight away. I know if I have another baby I will want to be on medication strait after birth and bottle feed of course. As I agree sleep is soooo important.

Good Luck and take it steady. PP is an awful thing that does take time to get over xx

[malibu]

Hi
Sorry to hear you had a relapse, hope your feeling a lot better now though, thats my worst worry that if I came off my medication I would have a relapse without having another baby.  I would just really like to see if im totally better without taking medication to feel totally normal again if you know what I mean.  I've got an appointment with my psychiatrist early november so Im going to talk all my worries out with him.  The last psychiatrist I saw was very cautious of me coming off antipsychotics altogether as my mam has bipolar so thought to ever prevent a relapse again to continue taking my antipsychotics for life (I have not been diagnosed with Bipolar) but have a family history. I am looking forward to getting a second opinion in november.  As for having a second baby i have talked it over with my hubby and we're thinking of starting trying next christmas so I have another 12months to prepare myself and my son would be 3 by the time its born and starting nursery.

[fanacapants]

I'm told by the docs that my re-lapse was due to me having too much seratonin in my system from my anti-depressant and the fact that i'd taken up exercise which releases natural endorphins hence the onset of psychosis. A set back that I didn't need but I'm fine about it. At the time I was told to come straight off my anti-depressant cold turkey which is something docs never usually recommend!

I know what you mean about wanting to feel normal again. Like you though I want to see if I can come off anti-psychotics before going down the mood stabilizer route. Apart from feeling lethargic and heavy (and having weight gain!) on Olanzapine I don't think I have any other side effects. I am worried that if I take a mood stabiliser I will have a whole new host of unpleasant side effects. I've read that some can give you shakes - not good!

As for you trying for a baby in a years time, well a lot can happen in a year and hopefully you will be so much better by then.

Take care x Sukina