Any advice on how to support someone with puerperal pyschosis

[mpatel]

One of my really good frends was admitted to hospital and has since been diagnosed with puerperal pyschosis.  Her partner is finding the whole experience very difficult and both he and she need lots of support.

I've read on this forum from another person that getting the sufferer into private healthcare is a good option to take.  My friend has been admitted into hospital under section 2 of the mental health act.  If we were to find private care for her, would we be able to move her?

She finally saw her baby for the first time yesterday after a week.  Her partner is reluctant to make the journey to the hospital often as he says it's 'not so easy to get across town with him.' I think this is a mistake and that she needs to be spending as much time with her baby as possible. 

We have heard of baby and mother units but both my friend and her partner seem reluctant to go to one of these.  Does anyone have experience of these types of units? Do they help with recovery?

With the help of another friend, we are trying to get our friend into private facilities and ensure that she sees her baby as much as possible.  It's all a little overwhelming, but we are prepared to do what it takes to get her better and home.

Any advice that friends or suffers have that will help us would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Lucky dad]

The mother & baby unit was our life line, my wife wasn't highlighted to the unit for 2 weeks, as at the time it was thought better to treat at home, but you just can't do this with PP. Plus the MBU helps to grow that bond of mother & baby and help to teach how to look after them.

It is a terrible thing to go through, not knowing what the hell's going on and no control, I know my wife was in their words, 'one of the worst seen for 5 years' and I had to learn fast on how to deal with it. I can tell you that in our case it turned out all ok and 5 years on we have a beautiful child well rounded and very confident and my wife too has rebuilt her confidence. When I look back, the key is the support of family & friends, good medical team, patience and not to look too far ahead I just dealt with it day by day.

[Claire]

Hi
Sorry to hear about your friend.
Mother and baby units are brilliant.
I suffered with pp in June 2008 and was admitted to a mother and baby unit 5 days after she was born.
For the first 4/5 weeks I wasn't well enough to look after my daughter so my husband brought her in every day to see me then took her home.
When I was a bit better to help out looking after my daughter she would stay with me at the unit and the nurses would look after her at night so I could get some sleep.
I would really recommend the mother and baby unit and aslong as she's got family and friends to support her she'll get through it.
If you have anymore questions I'll try and help.
Hope you get your friend sorted out somewhere that can help her.
Claire x