Family History

[Vee82]

Hi Everyone,

Thinking of you all as you all as you work through and come to terms with the challenges of PP. I was sectioned and spent 8 weeks in hospital with ‘hypomania’ following the birth of my daughter 38 years ago. It was a total nightmare, in terms coming to terms with the both experience and stigma, as well as coping with a newborn and the crippling depression that followed. However, I got there and fortunately had no recurrence following the birth of my son a couple of years later and no further mental health issues since.

However, I am delighted to confirm that my daughter is now 22 weeks pregnant! So thrilled at the prospect of being a Gran but terrified she encounters the same problems that I had following her birth. We do chat about my experiences and she has informed the midwife of her family history. I was wondering if the incidence of PP increased if there was a family history? My son was also diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder four years ago.

My very best wishes to you all. Vee Xx

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi Vee82, thanks for your post and well wishes too. I’m almost 11 years from my PP episode now and still, like you do, think of women earlier on in their journey of recovery, also having had another child myself and remained well. Congratulations too on becoming a Gran soon! It’s an exciting tome for you all but I can understand your worries. Is your daughter receiving care from anyone else aside from a midwifery team? It may be that she will be able to get extra input or support in terms of her family history but if she has been well herself, it may not be needed. Is it something you’ve been able to talk about together?

Family history is something we are often asked here at APP - there’s some further info on our website and via this FAQs link: app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

Whilst more research is still needed into the causes and possible factors behind women experiencing PP, APP’s experts say:

“You may be worried about your risk if a close relative has had postpartum psychosis. If your mother or sister had postpartum psychosis but you have not had any mental illness, your risk is around 3 in 100 (3%). This is higher than the risk in the general population. It is still much lower than for the very high risk groups.”

I hope this helps and please do ask any further questions we can help with. Take care and the best, xx

[Vee82 in reply to Hannah_at_APP]

Many thanks Hannah for your assistance which has helped put my mind at rest. Yes we do talk about it but I’m mindful of the lack of insight and rationality that PP brings to the individual. I will be monitoring her closely and there for her and now know where to turn to for support.

Interestingly, I was never able to talk about my experience, it was too painful, I just buried the shame and guilt. Apart from an excellent Health Visitor and one out patient appointment, there was no support or follow up back then. However, witnessing the battle with mental health with my son, thirty odd years later, opened up those memories for me. Fortunately I discovered your forum and tentatively posted 5 years ago. I was blown away by the kind, compassionate and supportive replies which enabled me to share my experience with you all which helped me finally to come to terms with it. I no longer felt shame and guilt but proud that I come through it. It was such an important and devastating life event and my heart goes out to all those who are, or have experienced PP. Perhaps the experience makes us stronger in the long run but the most important thing is we have our beautiful children who enrich our lives beyond measure.

My very best wishes to you all. Vee xx

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Good morning Vee82,

congratulation on becoming a grandma, soon. Exciting times ahead. Thank you for being open and sharing your experience with us. It is good to talk.

I believe Hannah highlighted some interesting statistics and they are very reassuring.

It has been 10 years since I had PPP, and my experience was quite an ordeal as I was sectioned and treatment at that hospital was inappropriate, which caused PTS for my partner and I. Thus, recovery was very slow.

Nevertheless all our cases are so unique. What I really like about your message is your transparency about your experience with PPP. For my mum it always has been a taboo and she does not want to know about my recently diagnosed bipolar, by a well known professor, which I found via APP support.

My instinct says that it is more important to trace back the female line of a family. I found out through the cousin of my mum about various stories of relatives and their struggles with mental health challenges. Research started to develop further in the mid 70s in Amerika with regards to BP studies, - in my family women were identified with Schizophrenia, but they got poorly after having had a baby.

I believe it is important to talk openly to health professionals. Precaution is good so that measures can be put into place.

APP is a great forum,-it has helped me so much in my recovery. You also find some great mums whose daughters struggled with PPP on this social forum.

Hope all goes well,

x

[Vee82 in reply to Pikorua]

Thank you for you kind words and I found the statistics very reassuring, for some reason I thought it was a 50% rather than 3% risk.

Sorry to hear your Mum finds mental health a ‘taboo’, it is difficult to process, especially when it impact on those we love. I am now in my 60s and remember the stigma that mental health once carried. It is great to see the tide is finally turning with a far greater awareness of mental health issues.

Very interesting about tracing the female line in terms of mental health. I struggled with depression, fortunately short lived, following PP, my Mum told me to read a good book to take my mind off it.

Anyway all the very best to you. Vee xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi Vee82

What a coincidence in ages of our children ..... my younger son is 39 today!! I had a similar experience with stigma and shame which I buried for years until I found APP and all the great mothers of courage and families here.

Although I can’t relate so well as I have two sons, I did worry for their wives during their pregnancies and postpartum. Thankfully they were both well and I now have my grandchildren to add sparkle and light to my days.

Congratulations on being a Gran in waiting It is the most amazing gift. I don’t know about you Vee but I have very sketchy memories of my sons’ early days, having had PP twice. So to hold my grandchildren in their early days was so emotional, remembering times I had missed as I was under general psychiatric care without my babies.

It’s good that your daughter’s care team is aware of family history and I’m glad you have been reassured by Hannah’s reply to you. I’m sorry your son has Bipolar 2 but I’m sure they are both comforted by your loving care.

Lovely to hear from you ..... very best wishes.

[Vee82 in reply to Lilybeth]

Many thanks for your response Lilybeth and I agree about those 'sketchy memories' and yet there are vivid snatches of memory. I had kept a diary of my thoughts, undoubtedly a manifestation of my 'hypomania' when I was under the illusion of being 'SuperMum! It would have been interesting to look back on them with the benefit of hindsight but I destroyed then as I didn't want any reminders of that painful period of my life.

I wonder if some women experience PTSD afterward, as it is such a traumatic experience, hopefully things have progressed and aftercare has improved.

I'm sure I will be on tenderhooks post delivery but know where to turn.

With best wishes. Veexx

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Vee82]

All our experiences are very unique aren’t they Vee82? I was far from feeling like ‘Supermum’ and in my case felt not good enough!

As you say, some memories are vivid even all these years later. I didn’t keep a diary but apparently during confinement wrote poetry! I only found about this a few years ago when I requested my notes about my episodes. One of the nurses had written “She’s writing poetry again” followed by a big exclamation mark ....so I guess I did that frequently. None of my ‘poetry’ was kept as I moved from different units.

I think things have improved as mental health has moved out of the shadows and is talked about more openly. Also with mother and baby units there is more support for new mums if needed.

Always good to talk here ..... take care xx

[Kaza1205 Volunteer]

Hi Vee82, congratulations on your daughter pregnancy. I had my daughter 35 years ago & everything you have written was exactly how it was for me & I felt the same way when my daughter became pregnant. I was always worried she might develop PP & wrote to APP about my concerns 17 years ago. I got a reply from a Dr & followed his advice which appears to be the same as you & your daughter are doing. My daughter was ok & the midwifes were fantastic. They kept my daughter in overnight so they could watch her as a precautionary measure & during their house visits were extra attentive. I was very impressed with the level of care my daughter received. Most of the midwives wanted to speak to me about my history. At the time I was extremely anxious when I heard my daughter had gone into labour & lots of tears waiting for the news & holding my granddaughter for the first time. Lots of memories did come flooding back over the first couple of months, which actually has helped me, I am now able to freely talk about my experience to help others. My daughter is now expecting her 2nd baby in mid September. I am less stressed this time round! You will have an amazing relationship with your grandchild which will be even more special because of your experience. XX

[Vee82 in reply to Kaza1205]

Thank you for your lovely, reassuring post Kaza1205. This forum is absolutely fantastic and a wonderful way to articulate feelings and concerns. Indeed, my daughter's pregnancy has awakened those feelings again and those hazy first few weeks of her life. I remember being so concerned about 'bonding' and how it would impact on her but absolutely no problem at all. I'm very impressed at the level of care & monitoring your daughter received. I wonder about longitudinal studies of us old timers in relation to our daughters experiences following childbirth.

With best wishes Vee xx

[Jane5678]

Congratulations, wishing you both the very best. Enjoy this time.