Doctors tomorrow

[RachelK_at_APP]

Going to see my gp tomorrow about discussing the possibility of baby number 2 and the support I would get.

Anything anyone thinks I should ask? Or any advice?

[Teresa_K_S Volunteer]

Hi Rkmummy

I always find gp appointments tricky remembering everything I need to say in a very short appointment slot. For this reason I usually write down all the points I wish to discuss.

A few things I can think of from the top of my head :-

a) Are you already on meds? Do you need a medication review for pregnancy?

b) Who/which proffessional can write up a care plan with you. Covering medication after birth if any? Medication during breastfeeding if it is your plan to feed/what are your signs of being unwell/what you would like others to do should you start to become unwell

c) do you have a perinatal team that you will come under and be cared for by?

d) if you were to become ill are there any mother and baby units in the area?

On the APP website there are some user guides relating to planning a pregnancy when at risk of Postpartum Psychosis. I'm afraid I don't know how to copy the link into the message but am sure one of the other volunteers will do so for you in the morning.

Good luck with your appointment. So many important decisions but planning ahead made me feel a lot safer second and third time around, so I hope it gives you the same reassurance

All the best

Teresa x

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator in reply to Teresa_K_S]

Thank you Teresa, I have made a note in my phone for things I want to ask

[DoraDonig in reply to RachelK_at_APP]

app-network.org/wp-content/...

Here is the pdf guide

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator in reply to Teresa_K_S]

Hi Teresa, my appointment went well. Being referred to the local perinatal team. Discussed the possibility of preventative medication after giving birth. Should be seen within 6 weeks.

[DoraDonig]

Hi Rkmummy

Teresa has really covered a lot of what you need to thing about to plan a pregnancy. I want to wish you luck and reassure you that you can absolutely have a healthy pregnancy and postpartum. In my second pregnancy (after the first one I had PPP), the team work between my midwife and the mental health team was crucial to me staying well-my midwife, health visitor and psychiatrist were brilliant. And my GP referred me for perinatal mental health team care as soon as I found out I was pregnant.

Best of luck xx

Dora

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator in reply to DoraDonig]

Thank you for your comments and advice x

[KA1234 Volunteer]

Hello,

I also wanted to wish you good luck with your appointment, I remained well after my 2nd pregnancy and the care plan I had put together was vital.

One thing that made a huge difference to me was that in my care plan I asked to be given a private room on the maternity ward (I had an elective c section 2nd time vs a v traumatic emergency section 1st time with no sleep on a general ward for 3 days), which I was able to have, so I stayed in hospital for a week which enabled me to get plenty of rest and lots of support with breastfeeding (something I wasnt able to do with my first baby).

I was also advised by the perinatal psychiatrist to try a combination of breast and bottle feeding, so my husband bottle fed once during the night so I could get a decent stretch of sleep each night which really made a difference.

Hope that helps xxx

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator in reply to KA1234]

Thank you. My gp - who came for a home visit when I was really ill with Zoe, was really nice. She’s put in a referrral to be seen by the perinatal team for some preconception councilling. And said I’d have a psychiatrist and specialist midwife through out pregnancy

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Rkmummy

It's good that you feel supported by your GP in making referrals for you to discuss the possibility for baby number 2 I have noticed some helpful advice in the PP Insider Guide for partners at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... (on page 14 "Planning for the future" there's a section "Thinking about having another baby".

Further down the line your GP might also consider a referral to Prof Ian Jones, an expert in this field, who offers a Second Opinion Service for women who have experienced PP or bipolar disorder and require advice regarding treatment or planning further pregnancies, at app-network.org/what-is-pp/.... The team is based in Cardiff but I think it is possible to have consultations via Skype.

Wishing you all the very best for the future. Take care. xx

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator]

I did mention this to my gp. She said as our area has quite good perinatal support, face to face support will most likely to better for me. But if I wanted that referral in the future she would do it.

[Teresa_K_S Volunteer]

Hi Rkmummy,

I'm glad you will be able to get good support. It makes a massive difference. The one thing about knowing you are at risk of PP is being able to put preventative measures in place. Knowing you have a care plan for every eventuality gives much needed reassurance. Feel at ease to take your partner with you to any appointments so he can understand or make suggestions for your care plan.

I found having these things in place invaluable for my 2nd and 3rd births. Although I had some seriously wobbly moments I didnt suffer any psychosis following my subsequent pregnancys.

Wishing you all the best with everything and any other worries then come chat on here if it helps

T x

[InspiredWoman]

First of all, congratulations. And second I would agree with Teresa_K_S about having a solid plan. Good luck to you!

I'm also sending you my summary tonight.

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator]

Thank you (and also received your summary too)

Got my appointment for some prenatal counselling, it’s in August

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Rkmummy

I hope your prenatal counselling next month will be helpful. I think it's reassuring that your GP is willing to refer you to Prof Jones' Second Opinion Service if requested by you, although your area has quite good perinatal support. Take care .... we are all here to talk.