I didn’t know about this site last time I was pregnant. I have bipolar and was told my risk of ppp was 1 in 2. I took asenapine throughout my pregnancy and the dose was doubled the day my daughter was born. I had an elective c section to reduce the amount of sleep deprivation during birth and fortunately although I was very hormonal very snappy with husband for 2 weeks and maybe a little paranoid on days 14 and 15 I didn’t get ppp or pnd which I don’t know how happened as I’ve had multiple admissions to hospital with normal psychosis when I was in my 20’s. I bonded really well with my daughter. My daughter is now 15 months and I’m 14 weeks pregnant I was wondering if many people had avoided ppp in one pregnancy but then got it in another. I’m wanting to be prepared just in case. I bottle fed last time and husband did half the night feeds as lack of sleep is a trigger for me we plan to do this again and are looking into an nanny to help me for a few weeks after the birth. Does anyone have any other good tips to keep well?
This pregnancy has been tough so far my medication put me at risk of Gestational diabetes and it came back at 4 weeks pregnant this time unlike last time at 24 weeks. I’ve lost a stone with severe nausea so haven’t enjoyed any of the pregnancy yet so I’m conscious of making sure I start to feel happier about everything. My mood has lifted a bit this week now my nausea is settling.
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Becciandbump
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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your pregnancy
It’s so good to hear you stayed well after your first pregnancy and I’m sure your planning and experience first time around stands you in good stead.
I had PP out of the blue after the birth of my first child in 2012 and went on to have another child in 2016 with no recurrence. Have you seen the APP insider guide ‘planning pregnancy: a guide for women at high risk of PP’ app-network.org/what-is-pp/... - there’s a lot of really useful information in there.
For me, sleep deprivation seemed to be a main trigger. I opted to formula feed my second son and took a low dose of quetiapine for 6 months following the birth which I could increase if I started to display symptoms. My husband and mum did the night feeds for the first few weeks.
It sounds like you have good support in place and the fact you’re aware of your risk and are putting plans in place puts you in a good position I’m sure.
Hopefully you’ll get others sharing their experiences with you here and do search through previous posts.
I hope your pregnancy improves, it sounds tough so far but it’s good to hear your mood has lifted this last week.
Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me encouragement as I am planning a pregnancy with asenapine. From the research I have done it seems that PP can strike at any time, but it is most likely to happen with a first birth. Best of luck and congratulations!
I was in an American clinical trial at the national pregnancy registry in America and need to ring them again to enrol they are looking into the safety of asenapine at the moment. My consultant knew of no one else who took it. My daughter was born perfectly had absolutely no withdrawals from the medication... nothing shes one of the most alert and bright babies amongst her peer. I’m hoping my 20 week scan goes ok again and the medication is ok for this baby too.
I wonder if you are both in the US whether you have contacted Postpartum Support International at postpartum.net where you might find additional support local to you?
I hope your 20 week scan goes well Becciandbump.
Take good care of yourselves. We are all here to lean on.
Hi we had a private scan and blood test and all looks good so far we found out she’s a little girl. 20 week scan is in 2 weeks. I’m much better nausea has settled so mood has lifted
Thanks so much for taking the time to update. What a lovely surprise to find out she's a little girl. Good to hear you're mood has lifted as the nausea has settled.
Take it easy and rest when you can.
Hello Becciandbump,
Welcome to the forum. Pleased that you found us.
How wonderful, hope "nesting" is starting, now you know it is a girl.
Hope all goes well throughout pregnancy.
It is important to find out about mums, who have had mental health issues previously. Such a lot more needs to be done in order to figure out why women with Bi-Polar maybe more at risk of getting PPP. Overall, I do believe that more genealogical & gynecological research needs to be undertaken in order to support women when family planning, in the stage of pregnancy and after-care.
- no matter where we are located on this planet, ... Transparency and awareness raising is important. Thank you for your contribution.
It is great to share experience and pleased you got in touch with APP.
Good to hear that the scan went well and you are feeling better from the nausea now. I remember that my second pregnancy (after PP with my first) was a strange time, knowing I was at risk of becoming unwell. Trying to enjoy it yet also putting plans in place in case they had been needed. I think that would be my main tip to share - planning for all eventualities. It's really positive that you have had one child and not experienced PP, and so have many things from that experience you can also use for this pregnancy. I also had an elective c-section with my second and together with good family & friends support, a "quiet time" at home afterwards, bottle feeding and sleep promotion where possible, I was also lucky to remain well.
I hope that things continue to go well for you and that the info and shared experiences here are helpful to you. All the best, and keep posting here if it's helpful too, xx
Just to update I’m now 27 weeks my diabetes is more controlled I’ve had an incredible amount of family strain as my family do not understand bipolar at all they believe me being hormonal means I’m ill and have been quite nasty. I’ve had several panic attacks over some of how they have been with me but am stable and coping and have distanced myself from it. My hubby and I have just started some joint counselling to make us stronger as the outside family strain has affected us both. My eldest daughter is thriving and is excited about the baby. I’ve been getting somewhere with hiring this nanny there have been a couple of applicants I saw my obstetrician today and she thought the nanny was a great idea and would help support me in the hope having company for 8 weeks will alleviate some anxiety and give me confidence I’ll cope. My main concern at the moment is sleep. I get insomnia in pregnancy so have been functioning on very little sleep but seem to be coping. I finish work on 3 weeks only 8 working days left so hoping to start nesting soon. Our extension is taking shape now so I’m starting to believe my husband when he says it will be ready when the baby arrives. Hope everyone else is well xx
Hi Becciandbump, thanks for your update. It's lovely to hear that you are putting things in place for your pregnancy and after the baby comes, that was really key for me when having a second child and being at risk of PP. The counselling with your husband sounds really good, sorry to hear that you are experiencing some stress and panic attacks from the reactions of some other family members. I have had similar and whilst it can be really frustrating, you are right in distancing yourself and protecting your little family unit. I know that anything others do not understand or support me in is firmly their issue, and as long as my boys (I have 3, including the husband!!) are OK, and my good friends are around me, that is all that matters. Finishing work soon will hopefully give you time to relax and nest too, it's an exciting time which I hope you can enjoy, looking forward to becoming a family of 4. Take care, xx
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