I have joined this forum because I wanted to have more understanding about the reason I am being admitted to a mother and baby unit. The posts have been really helpful, but what I am experiencing isn't psychosis but real. I have a tracker in my chest that is able to communicate with me, well the man who wants to take my children away. He is making me hit myself and bruise myself so he spares the children.
My perinatal and crisis team are looking for a bed, hopefully in Winchester, but who knows. I just wondered if anyone who has been can offer some advice? I am feeling pretty scared about it, and that is on top of the fear I feel about my children being taken. Maybe going to hospital my help me to feel less scared I suppose. Also feeling angry about the decision, not at any individual but more at the situation.
Sorry for the rant .
Written by
Emily_Gilbert
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Hi Emily, I suffered with PPP after my first baby and was admitted to a mother and baby unit last year. At first it was scary as I too didn't think I needed to be there. I was sectioned so I had no choice ,which at the time made me very angry. I now understand that my husband and my family needed help and the mother and baby unit was the only way. My little girl was able to come with me and together we got through a very tough time. My advice would be to go and take some time for yourself to get better. Sleep, eat and get all the help you can with your little one. I found doing things that made me feel like my old self helpful too like going out for few hours with friends or a yoga class where I couldn't take my little girl helped to combat the anxiety.
Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you reached out here where mums will be able to share their experiences and offer support. I had PP and know how very real and frightening psychosis can be but with the good care in the mother and baby unit you will eventually feel much better.
I was under general psychiatric care so I'm sorry I don't have any experience to offer about mother and baby units but there are mums here who will be able to let you know what to expect. It's a lot of stress for you to think about going into hospital but it will be a safe place for you to feel less scared.
When you have psychosis what you're thinking can feel completely real but they're part of the illness.
I personally was in a MBU for about a month and it absolutely enabled me to get well. Not that it wasn't really hard, it is hard accepting that you need help and feeling under the microscope but when you get well you will understand how much you needed it.
Hi there, I too am new to the forum. I was admitted to a mother and baby unit after being sectioned, due to having delusions and being diagnosed with PP. At the time I was so unwell and it felt like almost an out of body experience so I was completely unaware what was happening.
When I came out of the haze after 4 days and found myself in the unit and sectioned it was initially upsetting and terrifying. I was in the unit for a month and although it was rather unsettling being watched 24/7 at the beginning I understood the reasons why. The nurse's and all staff there were so helpful and understanding and I started to enjoy my time there. Joining in with various activities, some of which my baby and I probably never would have done if at home. I tried to re think the time not as wasted time but as quality time with my baby. It was nice being able to focus on her and on getting better gradually with like minded mums around. I count myself as lucky that I was diagnosed so early on and that there was a bed free locally.
Good luck with your recovery and try to enjoy the unit and all that it offers.
I spent a month in a mother and baby unit and didn't understand why I was there for a lot of that time. Looking back I can honestly say it was the absolute best and right place for me to be. I know what you're experiencing right now is completely real to you and it's such a scary time. Being in the mother and baby unit will allow you to rest and get better, you and your baby will be safe and looked after.
I spent 4 weeks in a Mother and Baby Unit last year after I experienced PP with my first child. I was sectioned, and I felt very angry about this. I didn't want to see or speak to my husband for a few days after my admission, as I blamed him for putting me in hospital. My wish was to recover at home with the support of the crisis team, but my family just couldn't cope and I wasn't getting any better. Looking back now, I can honestly say it was the best thing for me. Being admitted allowed me to get some sleep which was vital to my recovery; I hadnt slept for five days prior to my admission. The nurses offered to look after my baby for the first few nights I was there, which was so helpful. I was prescribed sleeping tablets and anti-psychotic medication (Olanzapine) which I was reluctant to take at home. Although I spent four weeks there, I was granted home leave after a week and could spend long weekends at home which really helped. I had been quite poorly (physically) after a traumatic birth, and was sectioned when my son was two weeks old, so I hadn't adapted to 'normal' life at home with a new baby! So spending small amounts of time at home allowed my confidence to build, and I was more determined than ever to get through my illness and begin our life as a new family. A year later, and I'm the happiest I've ever been - we are celebrating my son's first birthday this weekend and although I often think about my experience, it happened and I can't change it, but I'm now the Mum I wanted to be. So stick at it, and you'll get there. The combination of medication, the ability to rest and the wonderful support and reassurance you will receive from staff will see you on the road to recovery, I'm sure. Take care, Jess x
I am glad you joined the forum too and are able to reach out to other mums. The Mother and Baby Unit is the best place for you and your baby. I've heard Winchester is a nice unit too. I felt very angry about going into a Mother and Baby Unit and was adamant I did not want to be there. I blamed my partner and parents for sending me there but I know now that it was the best place for me.
The Mother and Baby Units are designed so your other children can visit you too. When I went into a unit I left behind my 5 year old son and it was really hard. I missed him so much. But I know that I could not stay at home because I needed to be on the unit. I was not able to look after my son properly and I needed to get my sleep.
Please do not feel scared about going onto the unit. It will just be different for a few weeks. Your baby will be with you and your other children can visit. The staff are all lovely and are there to help you so you can rest. There will also be other patients for you to talk too.
Please let us know how you get on and when you get a bed. Keep talking to us about how you are feeling.
We're thinking of you.
Em.
Hello Emily,
I have been trying to inform our health service in Somerset about the importance of MBU's.
You are at a safe place where you and your baby will get the best treatment for the improvement of your health and recovery and the care for your new born.
Do not worry, you will be absolutely fine.
I have had not the experience of the MBU when suffering with PPP, but know from other mums on this forum that MBU's are the best environment with the appropriate professional help and very caring and kind staff.
Thanks so much for everyone that had replied. I entered a MAU in London yesterday. It's been a mixed bag, nice staff but horrific feelings and voices. I have to trust that people around me are working in my best interest. It's horrible though, and I wish I were at home x
Hi Emily_Gilbert, good to hear your update and that you are finding the staff at the hospital nice. I too spent time in a MBU when I had pp and it was absolutely vital in my recovery after a horrific time at home and in general psychiatric wards. I hope you start to feel better soon and in the meantime, please know that we are all thinking of you and have been through this too, you can and will get better. Take care, xx
Good to hear from you. I hope when you've had a good night's sleep you will feel a little more settled. All the staff will be working towards helping you to feel much better so try to rest as much as you can.
I've spent time on a MBU and was under section so couldn't go home but actually it was really vital to be on the unit for my recovery. Being able to focus on your baby with plenty of support is really critical. Take the chance to chat to the staff about what your thinking and how you're feeling. Like you say they are there with your best interests at heart. Also get plenty of rest and sleep. This is also vital to making a good recovery. We've all been there and wishing you all the best in your recovery.
I can fully understand why you feel anxious about being on an MBU, I was on one for 12 weeks, I was petrified when I was admitted, but you do come to realise that it is the best place for you to fully aid in your recovery.
I was on an acute ward and a general psychiatric ward to stabilise me, then I was moved to the attached MBU. That place was my lifeline, I felt I would never get well again. It really is the best place to be for you and baby.
Just wondering how your week has been? Hopefully by the replies here you have been reassured that you are in the best place with your baby. It's not easy being away from home but you need the specialist care of the MBU team for now.
Thank you to all who have replied. It's been a long week lol. I am worried that mum son will be taken or swapped and the tracker in my chest is now poisoning my blood. I'm waiting on blood results to say how long this has been going on for. I hope you ladies are right and that it's the best place for me x x x
My heart goes out to you. It's devastating to suffer in this way.
It will take time and having your baby with you will allow a massive healing process to take place. Use the time to sleep, rest, and talk to the staff as much as time will allow. We are all in your corner and I promise you it won't always be like this xxx
I wish I could give you a hug. To cry is an outpouring for some of the pain you are in, inside your mind. Whenever possible try to distract yourself from your thoughts for example, the TV even if it's only for a few minutes in each day. If you are unable to do this do not worry. Not being able to focus or concentrate on anything other than the thoughts in your head is part of the illness. It's very hard to concentrate on anything when you are so ill but you will recover with the professional help that you need and are surrounded by. xxx
Thanks for taking the time to reply. It might have been a long week but while you're there you can concentrate on getting better and not have to worry about routine if you were at home.
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