worried about my feeling after child birth?

Question

i had postnatal Depression after the birth of my second child i remember how i obsessed that something would happen to him, i used to set my alarm clock at night to wake me every hour to check he was still breathing, i would grip on to the parm so tight when we were out terrified that i would let go and my baby would go on the road, now i am terrified i will get it again after i have had this baby, is there any thing i can do to prevent this happening?

i had treatment for this i still have anxiety tho

Answer 1

How awful that must have been for you! It's bad enough dealing with the pressures of becoming a mum without the added worry of post natal depression cropping up again!

I've just found this great site, netdoctor.co.uk. Check it out, there are discussion corners where you can chat to other people in the same situation as yourself!

Good luck & all the best, I hope things work out for you, I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Answer 2

I had PND with both my kids and am still on tablets for it after the birth of my second (he's just turned one) With my first i felt exactly like you did but with my second it was all about me. I was convinced i wasn't good enough, that i was doing a terrible job, that when they wouldn't stop screaming i wanted to murder them! At one point i begged my GP to put me under section as i was terrified I'd hurt them (although i never have)
The best thing to do is try and talk to your midwife or GP about it. I know that's hard because most of them bang on about PND but don't actually want to know when you do have it. But keep asking until someone listen's.
The best thing is now you are aware of it so you know if it does start to happen that's what it is.
They won't give you any drugs for it when your pregnant or if after the baby's here you breastfeed, as they might harm the baby by causing a chemical imbalance. But they might give you some counselling. I know that probably doesn't sound like what you need (i scoffed at the idea too) but it really does help.
I know it doesn't feel like it at the time but your not alone in this so maybe you could find if there are some PND support groups in your area? It helps to know there's others going through what you are.
I really hope things work out well and wish you the best of luck hun.

Answer 3

I don't think there is anything you can do to prevent PND, but the good thing is that you are aware of the possibility that it might happen and are probably also well aware of how it manifests itself with you.
When you have had the baby just try to relax, I know it is easier said than done. I have had severe PND after several of my babies, but the last baby I was so aware of what was happening to me I was able to manage it myself, with the assistance of an excellent health visitor. Those irrational thoughts are the worst part of the illness I think, but I just made myself think of something else when the bad thoughts came, anything to force the irrationality to the side, what we would have for supper, what the baby might be when it grew up, just anything to stop me thinking the baby would come to some harm because of me.
At your 6 week check up make a point of telling the health visitor or the Dr how you are feeling with regards to the PND, give yourself little checkpoints so you are monitoring it but not allowing it to creep by unnoticed.
You will be fine!
Good luck.

Answer 4

Try not to worry..... easier said than done!!!!!!!!

As you had pnd before your health visitor will be aware and they are very hot on it these days and will give you all the help and reasurance you need.

Also i have a 2 mth old son and worried about his breathing at night. Invested in a baby monitor with a sensor pad. You place the pad under babie mattress and it will detect your babies breathing and will set offan alarm after 20 secs if nothing is detected. Just a little peace of mind.

Answer 5

i to suffered postnatal depression when my first child was born so i know wht its like.I am now expecting my second and i too am a bit worried weither I'll get it again.But what you should try to remember is that you got through it and that now you have sum experience of what you were like you'll be able to recognise the signs and you'll be in a much better position to deal with it straight away and get help if you need it.Speak to your midwife am sure she'll help put your mind at rest.
Stay Positive
Good Luck

Answer 6

I was exactly the same... It was terrible with my first. Bad post natal depression. It was horrid. I was terrified all through my second pregnancy I would be the same. It was a really hard pregnancy physically and I thought it would be worse... But nothing. I just enjoyed everything and felt so laid back. You cant stop it happening its hormonal but I'm sure you will be fine. I wish you all the best . good luck.

Answer 7

i dont think you can prevent it from happening but the best advice would be to talk to your gp and/or midwife and explain to them about how you felt before and explain it bluntly to them so they get the true and accurate picture. tell them that you are afraid of it happening again. they can then properly advise you on where to go next and if there is anything which can help you in terms of medicine or remedies and so on. If you have any family around you tell them how your feeling, open up your support network. its nothing to be ashamed of. get in contact with the charity mind. have a look at some of the sites listed. hope this helps.

Answer 8

You poor thing, all ican say is stay in close contact with your midwife and health visitor they will support you throught it and be honest about the way you are feeling, i really feel for you xxx

Answer 9

I probably would get up and check on my baby as well but maybe you should try couseling and see if you feel a bit more comfortable.

Answer 10

See your doc and ask for counselling. If there is too huge a waiting list then go to a hypnotherapist.