Pre conception counselling

[RachelK_at_APP]

So mid August I am having some preconception counselling with regards to possibly having baby number 2.

Is there anything people think I should ask specifically?

[DoraDonig]

Hi Rkmummy

These are the questions I would aske:

1. Is there a local perinatal mental health team that you can be referred to?

2. If you are taking medication, as if it safe to continue to do so while pregnant?

3. Who would coordinate your care while pregnant (in my case it was the psychiatric nurse from the perinatal mental health care team)

Best of luck x

Dora

[Gem169]

Really proud of you doing this, a step I need to build myself up for! My questions will be around possibilities of seeing the other child if in mbu or other, breastfeeding, frequency of home visits post birth. Good luck x

[Sally_at_APP Administrator]

Hi RKmummy,

It is great you are considering preconception counselling.

I guess it is a chance for you to talk through everything, but I agree it is probably a good idea to go in with some specific questions.

Firstly, who will see your care through - will it be the Perinatal Team, or a care coordinator overseeing your pregnancy and beyond? How long will they continue to see you for? Will the team liaise with other professionals who are caring for you, i.e midwives or health visitors? Can they give you any information about your risks of getting poorly depending on your history? What will be in place if you do get poorly? What are your options surrounding medication if you need it and any tips for staying well.

I hope that has helped as a starting point. We also have a guide related to planning a further pregnancy that might be of interest to you; app-network.org/wp-content/...

There are lots of ladies on here who have also gone through second pregnancies who will be able to tell you a bit about their experiences too.

Thinking about you,

Sally x

[Hazello Volunteer]

Hi Rkmummy,

I'm pregnant with no. 2 and I am so so glad that you are able to have preconception counselling as that is something not available in my NHS trust, sadly. However I did consult with Prof Ian Jones which was very helpful. I suppose for me it was helpful to ask him about the risks of me getting unwell and how these could be minimised, if at all. Which medications it would be safe for me to take in pregnancy if required and discussion around medication/ other treatments after the birth.

My current plan is to visit the local MBU when I get towards the end so that if required it's not so scary to go back, the psychiatrist will refer me there to give them a heads-up.

Happy to discuss with you in more details my plans as they progress if you want as a kind of case study! I'm currently 25 weeks so got a wee way to go yet.

Hazello

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator]

Hi, congratulations hazello

Would be lovely to stay in touch.

Although I’ve also got the niggling thought that we’ve conceived this month. (Contraception failed us)

Few days away from finding out either way.

[Hazello Volunteer in reply to RachelK_at_APP]

That would be exciting if you had already conceived! I'll try to remember to put updates on here about my plan as things progress.

H

[RachelK_at_APP Moderator]

Not this month! Hope you’re ok x