I came across this site a while ago and have come back now pregnant with my second child. I suffered what I consider to have been severe post natal depression after the birth of my first child 4 1/2 yrs ago.
I was lucky in some ways that I knew really soon that how i felt was not 'normal'. The hallucinations, huge paranioa, complete insomnia etc had me worried but when I started to think I should have him adopted and I didn't feel safe to be left with the baby on my own. I bravely phoned the health visitor and told her everything that was going on. It was a huge step but luckily I got all the support I needed. Two days later my son and I were in a mother and baby unit having seen an emergency psychiatrist and no matter how strange that was I started to feel safe.
I was put on anti-depressents and diazapam and with great support started to get on my feet again. i was there a total of 3 months and carried on with support when I got home. I have a great partener and family but it was the professionals who knew and reassured me that I was just unwell and would get better.
I wanted to put my brief account on here to just say it does get better, easier and as i said I am now pregnant again, planned!! and really happy. I'm presuming that it will probably reoccur but am going to take every precaution i can, have all professionals ready and prepared so that this time hopefully it can be managed with out an admission to hospital! If anyone has had a second child and knows of any good tricks for prevention of PND please let me know!!
