Having a baby

[Bluelady-sing]

Does anyone have any advice on having a baby, my friend is weaning from quetiapine currently at 50 mgs. She does not want to risk foetal abnormalities, not only this pressure form services. My friend is desperate for a baby, to the point of depression but is so scared of being pushed out by professionals

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi pumpkins

I think we have given you a lot of links and support previously?

There is a lot of support and information about planning a pregnancy if you are at risk of pp.

If someone is at risk of Pp ideally they should get support from a perinatal psychiatrist and a perinatal mental health team who are specialised in supporting women with mental health problems during and after pregnancy. They will give specialist advice about what medications are safe to take in pregnancy and advice about coming off medication when planning a pregnancy.

We at APP have a good guide about planning a pregnancy written by families who experienced pp and leading perinatal mental health clinicians. The guide is available to download from our website.

app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

I hope this is helpful.

Ellie

[Bluelady-sing]

Is there any protection form services, as my friend now needs IVF as she has been denied access to gynae care

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Bluelady-sing]

Hi Pumpkins,

Yes I'm not sure either what you mean about protection from services. Services are there to support. As Jododo says some services are under resourced, but are generally supportive and helpful if you are honest and open and ask for help when you need it. I wouldn't have recovered from PP without all the professional support I received. If I had another baby, where I would be at high risk, I would want services involvement in order to support me to stay well. I would take all support that is offered, and I would recommend this for yourself.

Take care

Ellie

[jododo]

I don’t understand what protection from services would be needed. I couldn’t manage without the support I’ve had. Sometimes they’re under-resourced but my experience is they are very helpful even so.

[boat1]

As long as you have a good care plan. Meds ok general after 1st trimester. You could even have them 1st trimester if really necessary. The risk is not as high as ppl think. Last preg I tuk lithium at end and baby was fine. I found an epidural early on helped a lot to avoid relapse after delivery. Medication needed post delivery and I chose not to breastfeed. Rest v imp and help with night feeds