Is PP more common when you give birth to a son??

[pinkylarouge]

Most of the stories I have read about women that have had PP have given birth to a son. I'm wondering if having a son could contribute to PP? Please comment 'boy' or 'girl' below.

Cheers

[Mims2014]

Boy but I doubt it. Always worth questioning causes though - I always wonder if breast feeding contributes x

[Recoveringmama]

Girl

[betty2014]

Boy, I agree with mims2014 - I wondered about breast feeding. Certainly lack of sleep is a big factor xx

[Mims2014 in reply to betty2014]

Massive factor - think sleep deprivation is the only proven cause, although prof Jones queries whether it's a cause or very early symptom - could never be proven though x

[AllisonR]

Boy. I wondered whether a baby being premature contributes.

[AnneMR33]

I had a wee girl but you are right my impression is that there are more PP stories with baby boys around.

[Bea1973]

Girl

[benedicte]

Girl

[cas22]

Girl

[TabithaSparkle]

Boy. If I'm lucky enough to to have another baby, I will bottle feed him/her straight away so I don't lose as much sleep trying to breastfed and so that others can help out.

[Mims2014 in reply to TabithaSparkle]

I'm due with second baby any day and im bottle feeding - it was a hard decision (as loved breast feeding & it is best for baby) but best for our whole family is bottle feeding. I'm also taking a low dose of meds of delivery but in my opinion, getting sleep and reducing stress is the most important thing x

[Jennyrriley]

Girl xx

[Kat_at_APP Volunteer]

Boy - but I doubt they'd ever be able to prove a "causal" link, because it's such a relatively rare illness anyway... In my case the various risk factors included (unknown at the time!) genetic history, (undiagnosed at the time!) bipolar disorder, birth trauma (including infection and blood loss), and severe sleep deprivation.... X

[Cheekymummy]

Boy. Difficulties breastfeeding and subsequent lack of sleep were big factors for me. Xox

[Bindy7]

Girl

[EMTmom4]

Boy. The horrible breastfeeding experience, hormones and lack of sleep is what really did me in. I never had it with my previous births which were girls, I did have a bit of baby blues with he first, then a little ppd with the second which I never realized until I went full blown PPP with the third.

[betty2014 in reply to EMTmom4]

That's interesting, I always thought that there is less chances of ppp when u have had one before with no problems

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to betty2014]

Hi Betty2014

Yes the statistics show that there are more cases of PP with your first child than with second, third etc children. But as you can see from the comments here, a lot of people have had PP not with their first but with their subsequent children.

[EMTmom4 in reply to betty2014]

From all the experiences I've read, there really is no rhyme or reason. I've met quite a few who had it with their subsequent births.

[Claire34]

Boy, only child I breastfeed with and he was my 4th also only time I had PPP.

[Amberblack]

Boy. Strong factors for me were a difficult birth and a baby who was briefly in special care.

Amberblack j

[Cheekymummy]

If there was a link between having boys and pp then it could be due to the different hormones that boys have compared girls.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Pinklarouge

It's an interesting question, but I don't think there is any connection between the gender of the baby, and risk of PP. Research into the causes of PP is quite limited but what we do know is all on the APP website - the best thing to do is to look on our frequently asked questions page app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

For example the question 'who is most likely to get postpartum psychosis?'

For info I did have a boy, and not much sleep for a couple of days (I was very acutely and suddenly unwell when my son was 3 days old) , I had no previous mental illness. My mum did have psychotic episodes for several years, and so there could be some genetic link there.

I hope this helps.

Ellie

[haroldmag]

Could it be related to outside factors such as childhood experiences or such things as your job as a teacher and having to deal with child protection in a professional capacity.