Has anyone had a 2nd baby after having PP with 1st

[Claire]

Hi

I haven't posted on here for a long time but posted my story in May 2009.

I had my 1st baby in june 08 and after 5 days went into hospital and was diagnosed with PP.

I was very ill and had to have ECT treatment and was in hospital for 12 weeks my baby not being with me for about the first 4 weeks.

I am wanting to try for another baby but obviously very worried that PP will return as been told theres a 50/50 chance.

I've been advised that I may have to go on medication 4 weeks before the baby is due and then stop it 2 weeks before its due then as soon as the baby is born start the medication again but until I am pregnant im not sure what the plan will be.

Would like to hear from anyone that has suffered with PP first time and also suffered the 2nd time and if it was worse or better and also if suffered the first time but was fine the second time.

Look forward to hearing from you. 


Claire x

[fiona]

Hi Claire,

From my experience, the thing that made a difference the 2nd time round was having a psychiatrist that my husband and I could trust and talk to about all our concerns.  Like you, we were given a 50:50 chance, but I had a great relationship with a specialist psychiatrist who knew me well and was available throughout my pre-preg planning & beyond.  ( we did have to fork out for private health care for this support)
I had horrific pp with 1st child - little boy (2006) and had my 2nd in 2009 with no pp.  I was fully prepared for being ill again and our decision to have another baby was based on the fact that it was worth it, even if the pp came back.    Once I was recovered from pp after our 1st baby, I remained on Lamotrigene (mood stabiliser) and made the decision to stay on this right through the 2nd pregnancy.  There was a small risk of cleft palette but no other fetal effects.  I then added olanzipene hours after our little girl was born and stayed on this for approx 5 months.  I think that I'll remain on the mood stabiliser indefinitely now as there don't appear to be any side-effects and it is working!
Our 2nd child - little girl was born with Downs Syndrome and a major heart defect (genetical - not due to meds).  We had a pretty tough 1st year with major operations etc and I can't imagine what it would have been like if the pp had reared it's ugly head again.    I am so glad we are blessed with 2 such lovely children and sometimes problems can improve your life!!

My husband and his family were incredibly supportive towards second pregnancy.  My family thought I was nuts to risk going through it again.  There's no way I would have tried if my husband and a support team weren't there.

good luck.
love Fo

[Claire]

Hi Fo

Thanks ever so much for replying.
Im so glad you didn't get it the second time round and that you have 2 lovely children.
We've decided were just going to try and just see what happens as we do really want another child and dont want to regret it in the future.
I have spoken to a PCN and they have said they will do as much as possible to prevent it from happening again so fingers crossed.
Ive prepared myself for maybe going back into hospital for at least 4 weeks so will just need to see what happens.
Gonna start trying end of April so will keep you posted with how i get on
take care
Claire x

[Debra]

Hi Claire,  I had PP 13 years ago with my first baby.  Three years later I had my second baby.  I had progesterone injections from the moment my second baby arrived which carried on for a few weeks then changed to progesterone suppositories for 3 months.  I had no sign of PP this time thank goodness.  It's quite hard to get doctors to agree to this treatment as they don't all believe in it.  It is a method that Dr Katherina Dalton writes about, you can find her books in most libraries or online.  She swears by progesterone treatment for PP, postnatal depression and PMS.  Anything's worth a try.  Good luck.  Debbie x

[Claire]

Hi Debbie

Thanks for replying, glad you didn't suffer 2nd time round.

Will look into those injections and read her books thanks for the advise.

Claire xx 

[Rebecca1]

Hi Claire!

I had my first baby in Spring 08 & became increasingly depressed in the weeks following the (very traumatic) birth, ending in psychosis, being sectioned & a hospital stay of about 2 weeks during which time I started ECT. I became psychotic again a few months later & was hospitalised again. I made 3 attempts to end my life when first ill & the whole experience was pure and utter hell. I was very lucky though afterwards, being given excellent psychological support from a clinical psychologist & great support from a CPN also. I live in a different area now & my husband & I are considering having a 2nd baby - we've been advised by my psychiatrist to remain on my antidepressant throughout a 2nd pregnancy & to start antipsychotic meds the day the baby is born (I responded well to one particular antipsychotic after my 2nd episode of psychosis).

Like you some members of my family think we're stupid to even think about having another baby, but fortunately other family members are extremely supportive. When you feel vulnerable yourselves it is so undermining when people you love can't be positive for you isn't it? Anyway, I completely understand your nervousness, we're right there too! - I just keep thinking how wonderful it would be for our little girl to have a sibling & our family to finally feel complete (we had always wanted 2 children before the PP). My GP & health visitor have both said they would recommend to the hospital that I be offered a planned caesarian to reduce the concern about another traumatic birth - would this be helpful for you also?

I wish you & your family the very, very best - you so deserve a positive, "normal" experience this time. xxxx

[Rose123]

Hi Claire

I have PP with my first baby in 2007 - it was pretty severe and I believe triggered by severe insomnia in my pregnancy - I tried to take my life by the end of the first week and ended up in a mother and baby unit until I was better.  Though I had an awful experience first time around my husband and I had always thought we would have two children so we decided to have another baby in 2010.  I found my pregancy more stressful than the first time as despite the insomnia I had an amazing first pregnancy but this time it worried me that I wasn't able to sleep & that I might get ill again.  The doctors recommended that I went on Olanzapine (what I was successfully treated with the first time) in the last semester but I hated being on it the first time as it zonked me out (and secretly I wasn't convinced it had made me better) so I agreed that I would have some there ready after the birth and if I started to feel ill I would start taking it.  For the first 4 days I felt absolutely fine but had some physical complications that meant I got very little sleep and then I felt weak & exhausted and started to suffer from anxiety.  I took the Olanzapine and was advised to go into the mother and baby unit to get better.  I have to say my experience the second time was better in that I didn't suffer from PP the medication controlled the illness and I think if I hadn't been so physically ill (got chest infection then pneumonia!) I would have been home a lot quicker.  However be aware that you might get ill again (I'd never had any previous phychiatric problems) and it might not be pleasant (it still was a very difficult time) if I had my time again I would prob go on the meds before I had the baby.  All I can say is that my baby is now 1 and it was well worth it - I was off the meds after 3 months as opposed to a year the first time.  Good luck!

[Claire]

Hi Rebecca and Rose

Thanks for telling me your stories I really appreciate it.

Rebecca I was really lucky as my birth was not traumatic so im unsure if they will let me have a planned c - section but it may be worth asking at the time.

Rose my PCN has said they may put me on medication in the last trimester and come off 2 weeks before the baby is due. I'm like you I really do not want to take any medication while I am pregnant but will take anything after if its going to help.

Well we've started trying now so will keep you all posted on the outcome and what happens with seeing doctors and PCN's etc, finger crossed I will be ok this time but will plan for the worse!! 

Please keep in touch.

Speak soon
Claire xx

[fiona]

Hi claire

I'm glad you're going to try for your 2nd... good luck and I'm sure that with a plan in place things will be easier.    the only other thing that I thought of, was the extra support you might be able to get from the midwives in the maternity wing.  I was able to stay in hospital for nearly a week after Ava-Jane was born & the midwives even did the night feeds for me!  I'm sure this recovery time & sleep after the birth helped.
Let me know how you get on.
x
Fo

[Claire]

Hi Fo

Thanks for that advise that may be something to think about.

Was that just on the normal maternity ward at the hospital or a mother and baby unit?ouch

Fingers crossed we get pregnant soon and all ok!!

Keep in touch.

Claire xxx

[fiona]

Hi Claire,
I stayed on the maternity ward ... it was a small hospital (Banbury, Oxon) and they were very accomodating!  Also, they had looked after me on that ward for nearly 2 weeks when I had pp before, so knew symptoms to look out for.  I'm not sure what would have happened if they'd been really busy as I imagine this extra care is out of their remit.  We also booked a private maternity nurse for a few weeks when we got home (again, doing night feeds etc).  Expensive, but not compared to husband taking loads of unpaid leave!!
x Fo