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Action on Postpartum Psychosis

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Postpartum psychosis

LisaJMatthews profile image
67 Replies

Hi

My daughter was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis 14 weeks ago & has been in a MBU with her 4 month old baby . She’s on lorazepam, sertraline & olazapine but also had 10 sessions of ECT treatment..... has anyone had this treatment & come through this illness at the other end ? My daughter keeps dipping , one week she’s almost back to normal & planning to be discharged from the MBU & the next week she’s really bad again & almost catatonic which she was like in the beginning. Is she ever going to be completely back to normal after this ?

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LisaJMatthews
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AstroSue profile image
AstroSue

Recovery is not a linear process unfortunately, and can be really slow. My daughter is now 2.5 and it's still a for me struggle (although I have bipolar disorder so it's going to be lifelong for me).

Please also remember that when she is discharged from hospital, that doesn't mean she's all better. She will still have a lot of recovering to do.

Much love to you. Recovery from mental illness can be so frustrating, for everyone involved.

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Dear LisaJMatthews,

I am so very sorry that your daughter is suffering from the awful illness of

Postpartum Psychosis, it is such a shock and trauma for her, for you and her whole family isn't it. My daughter also suffered from PP and was admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit almost four years ago, she is well now, your daughter can get better too. Sadly recovery is often up and down but your daughter is in the best place to get well.

Thank you for trusting us and Welcome to APP, the wonderful people on this site were of such help to me and to my daughter when she was ill. On this forum you will find lots of Mums, all different, who will empathise and bravely share their experience of recovery from this devastating condition. In the meantime, I wonder if you have been able to access the APP Insider Guides on the site which you may find helpful.

I know that I felt helpless in watching my daughter suffer in this way, your daugter is fortunate to have you supporting, I think it will mean a lot to her that you are there even if she is unable to articulate this at the moment. Your daughter can be restored to herself.

Though it can be difficult in the depths of this pain, my little mantra to myself was/is 'This too shall pass'. I hope some of this is helpful, write any time.

Take care of yourself too and congratulations on a precious new grandchild.

Sending a virtual hug from one mother/grandmother to another.

Love and best wishes

Judith xx

Pikorua profile image
PikoruaVolunteer in reply to NanaJudith_APP_Vol

Written with so much compassion, as always...x

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Hello again LisaJMatthes,

just a Ps with the link to the Insider Guides I mentioned.

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

Judith xx

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to NanaJudith_APP_Vol

Thank you Judith for your kind words . This forum has really helped me a lot as I hadn’t even heard of PP before & hopefully I’ll never come across it again . It’s good to hear that your daughter got well again after suffering this awful illness . It’s difficult not knowing what to do to help but thankfully I’m not working due to myself having cancer a few years ago , so I can be there always for her & the baby . I keep saying to her onwards & upwards . It breaks my heart seeing her like this but I try not to let her see me upset .

Thank you again for your messages xx

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer in reply to LisaJMatthews

Dear LisaJMatthews,

thank you for your reply. I do so understand, I too had never heard of PP it hit our family also out of the blue, it is so hard watching a much beloved daughter suffer in this way. It is hard work for these PP mums to work their way through this but they can and do. It was only afterwards that my daughter was able to say how much it helped that her family were there supporting. It is difficult to suggest what to do, being there is important, I don't know how easy that is in these covid times. Listening, talking, at the same time rest is so imperative. I remember we took in photographs, things to maybe remind her and help restore her to herself, a favourite cosy thing, also I gave my daughter a lavender eye pillow which seemed to help. I know that my daughter felt the benefit of being outside in the fresh air. As anyone on this forum will attest they all have had their own different path to recovery some longer than others. Do take all the help offered.

I am sorry that you have had your own serious illness and recovery to cope with and do hope that you have someone to support you too. Do take some time for yourself, your daughter is in the best place to get well, her light will come back. I hope that you will write anytime here if it helps. Incidentally, you could also write privately to me or another APP volunteer if you prefer.

Joy for now in your grandchild and hope for your daughter.

Thinking of you.

Best wishes with a hug

Judith xx

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello Lisa

Thank you so much for reaching out to the forum. I’m so sorry that your daughter is struggling at the moment. It is such a shame that the gift of a baby should be tarnished by such a traumatic illness but as you will see from the PP Guides it is temporary and very treatable.

I had PP twice many years ago, 6 years apart, and was sectioned to general psychiatric care, without my sons as mother and baby units were not around at that time. I suffered delusions and hallucinations which were all very real and frightening at the time.

Medications were not working as I was actively suicidal and very low. At the time of my first PP episode and after discussion with the doctors, my husband agreed to ECT treatment as I wasn’t communicating. Initially I was given 6 sessions which made a difference and then went on to have more than 10.

I can honestly say that ECT was a lifesaver, during both recoveries. So please rest assured that your daughter will eventually recover and be able to lead a happy life, as I have. It might take a while as there is so much to come to terms with during recovery ....... looking back I felt as though I was a completely different person! I had never had a mental illness and like many here, PP hit me out of the blue the first time.

I’m sure your daughter is comforted that you are there for her. I think she will need your reassurance that she will get better. NanaJudith has already mentioned the PP Insider Guides which are very helpful and there are also personal experiences there. Another good resource is “PP Soup - a nourishing mix of all things Postpartum Psychosis“ written by a mum who had PP, with other mums and professionals giving their input at ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com/.

Easier said than done but try not to worry although it is difficult in this early stage of recovery. For now your daughter is in the best place and will be well again in her own time. I hope some of this is helpful ... there will be other mums here to share their more recent experiences.

I’m not sure about visiting during the Covid restrictions but hope you will be able to have precious time with your daughter and grandchild. Please take care of yourself too as this can be a very distressing time for everyone.

Nicolaba profile image
Nicolaba

Hi Lisa,

I hope that the words of hope above are helpful. It is so true that this is not a linear illness but your daughter will get better. I know my family and even I couldn’t even fathom recovery at the point you are facing but it will come. I had PP 4 years ago as was in an mbu with my daughter 2 weeks after she was born, discharged and readmitted then had a further episode when she was 18 months old. It’s been a long journey of medication and talking therapy and us all learning how to positively look after our mental health but I am back at work and fully functional and that person in the MBU well I don’t really recognise her. Good luck to you all and take time to look after yourself too.

Izzie_25 profile image
Izzie_25Volunteer

Hi lisa

My daughter went through this last year. All I was told was she will get better. I couldn't see how. As like your daughter she was up and down. But believe them. My daughter is 99% herself again. We took everything they offered. She was in a MBU for 9 weeks and another short stay another time.

I push her into crafts to keep her busy. Which was a life saver for her.

My daughter share her story on her page

"soap and Hope" on fb. We both did a live last week about how as a grandmother I cope with everything. We have had alot of great comments on it. We want to make this not something we can't talk about.

I wish your daughter and yourself all the best. Believe the doctors and ask for all the help u can get

Pikorua profile image
PikoruaVolunteer

Pleased to meet you on this forum dearest Lisa,

Yes, we are all on a different path, but suffered the same traumatising illness. All of us on this forum have recovered from PPP, but quite a few mums had a prolonged recovery journey due to various circumstances.

In my view point the MBU's are the best places for mums and babies, thus, your daughter will receive the best care. I was involved in contributing to the development of Exeter MBU via a family stakeholder group making sure the interior and exterior design facilitates to the needs and appropriate care of mums and their babies.

Gosh - I wish I could have been there for my recovery as I was sectioned to a mixed gender Psychiatric Unit, which was traumatising in itself and without the contact of my loved ones.

I agree with the other forum members that once your daughter is released from the MBU recovery time at home is of vital importance. My condition improved once I was in my own sanctuary again, yet, I was still very poorly and I have to thank my partner for his full time care in trying to teach me the basics again and helping me to learn to look after our baby.

Take good care of yourself, too,

x

Buttercup12345 profile image
Buttercup12345

Hi wow my heart goes out to you and your daughter. Its such a challenging time. I had PPS in 2016 4 weeks after giving birth i was so unwell i had 2 members of staff with me the whole time when admitted to an inpatient unit then transferred to mother and baby unit reunited with my little girl. I hated the weight gain from olazinepine so stopped it and had a major relapse even worse than the first time. 2months in intensive care without my little girl. U dont get much sicker than that! I was drugged up to the eye balls couldnt speak, dribbling shocking behaviour needed to be pinned down to take meds. Rocovery has been slow and frustrating but this year i made a full recovery. I feel amazing but still tread carefully. Along the way i kept thinking ive recovered then there was more to come.

Im now working full time in the NHS and love being a mummy.

Hope this helps keep going your daughter really needs you. Xxx

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello LisaJMatthews

I hope your daughter has had a good week. Please take care of yourself too as it must be very overwhelming at times. Thinking of you xx

Maria_at_APP profile image
Maria_at_APPModerator

Hi LisaJMatthews,

I am sorry to hear that your daughter is suffering from ppp, its such a trauma. Recovery from it is not linear, and it can be very disheartening for you to see the daughter that you love so much battling so hard visibly improving only to go back to the beginning a few days later. I feel for you.

I had ppp a couple of years ago and when we were nearing the end of my 28 days section there were plans about discharge from the mbu as I appeared very much improved. My discharge didn't happened then as I started showing more erratic behaviour and having strange beliefs all over again, followed by a deep depression. I stayed for 6 weeks more at the end, and even though it was not home I was in the right place at the time.

There is no fixed time frame for any recovery, everyone's is a bit different, but it does happen. Your daughter will come back to herself, it takes time, but she will.

Take care of yourself as well, this illness doesn't forgive your family and loved ones either, so try to get some small joys for you, spend some time with your gorgeous grandchild, allow yourself moments of lightness and look at the glimpses of your daughter's old self to remind you she is there and she will come through this.

Pikorua profile image
PikoruaVolunteer

Hello LisaJMatthews,

just to let you know, we are thinking of you and your daughter.

Take good care of yourself, too.

x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Pikorua

Hi Pikorua

Thank you for your kind words x

Pikorua profile image
PikoruaVolunteer in reply to Pikorua

Hello Lisa,

thinking of you. We are always here to listen and help using our own lived experience. Do take care of yourself, too. It can be such a worrying and exhausting time. Sending you and your daughter and baby much love and kindness. x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Pikorua

Thank you so much for your kind words it means a lot to be able to talk to others in the same position x

Anigineco profile image
Anigineco

She need time. It take me 5 years to feel normal again. It's long time but it's happend eventuali. Just be with her da hole time.

Fathima07 profile image
Fathima07

I've had This with my last 2 pregnancies.. Took me a year to recover fully.

I just gave birth again and I'm back in the same position.. Its miserable and u feel hopeless and like no one can understand what's happening to u. I'm waiting for the light at the end of my tunnel. Just support her as much as u can

Ellie_at_APP profile image
Ellie_at_APPPartner in reply to Fathima07

Hi fathima07

I had pp too in 2011. I’m sorry you’re in the middle of it for the third time. I’m glad you’ve found us. Know that you can get support on here. As you say there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Do take care Ellie xx

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer in reply to Fathima07

Hello Fathima07

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the birth of your third bundle of joy :) So sorry to hear you are suffering PP for a third time. I had PP twice, six years apart, years ago, all very frightening and challenging. I hope perhaps some of the links on this thread might be helpful although you do have insight.

I’m not sure if you found the forum via Postpartum Support International at postpartum.net where there are countries listed offering local support. They also have a Facebook page. Take good care of yourself .... as you know it does take a while waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel but we are all here for you along the way.

chadlink profile image
chadlink

My wife had PPP after our first child and just had her first non postpartum hospitalization. She was hospitalized for about 60 days. The first 40 days doctors played around with medications and antipsychotics even though she had severe catatonia. Most doctors have no idea how to properly treat Catatonia. I was educating them with material I found online from McLean Hospital in Boston (USA). The gold standard for catatonia is Ativan and ECT. Antipsychotics can make it worse. As soon as they stopped all antipsychotics the ECT and Ativan did wonders. Discharged within 10 days after stopping them and now weaning slowly into her old antipsychotic while tapering off ECT. I’m not a doctor but that’s my experience. Treat the catatonia first and then the rest falls into place.

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer in reply to chadlink

Hello Chadlink

Good to hear that your wife is recovering after being hospitalised for about 60 days. Thank you for sharing .... take care.

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello LisaJMatthews

I hope your daughter is making steady progress in the mother and baby unit. It must be very hard for you but I hope you found the personal experiences helpful on the link to the PP Insider Guides.

There is also another resource “PP Soup” (a nourishing mix of all things Postpartum Psychosis) at ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com/ written by a mum who suffered PP with input from other mums and professionals. This might be reassuring to read and listen to as there is a radio broadcast with conversations between PP mums about their experiences. I think it would be a good idea to listen to the broadcast yourself first as your daughter might be quite fragile at the moment.

Thinking of you .... take care.

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello LisaJMattews

Just wondering how you are? It must be such a worry to see your daughter so unwell. I hope you have support for yourself. Hopefully with treatment and medication your daughter will be feeling well enough to be discharged, or perhaps have gradual leave from the MBU as I did from hospital.

Thinking of you ... take care.

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lilybeth

Thank you for your kind messages & so sorry I’ve not responded sooner it’s just been manic here back & forth to the MBU but the good news is my daughter should hopefully be being discharged soon . We don’t feel as though she is really ready but the mbu say she is .... I just hope we just the support when she gets home with us . Hope you are well x

Ellie_at_APP profile image
Ellie_at_APPPartner in reply to LisaJMatthews

Hi Lisajmatthews

It’s really good to hear your daughter will hopefully be discharged soon.

Yes it must be worrying the discharge from hospital and whether she’s ready. It was a difficult time for me, and I think it’s important to remember it’s a step in the recovery but doesn’t mean she’s completely better yet, as you recognise of course. Recovery does continue at home.

It sounds like you’ve all been through a lot. I know it’s so hard to believe but she really will come through this and get better, she really will. Recovery is up and down, but she will get there. I remember having better days then dipping again, but slowly I recovered. It was hard to hold onto the hope i would get better when I dipped. I hope she will have support from a perinatal team when she’s discharged home?

Take care and know we’re here for you, and do know that we can also link you to another ‘grandma’ if you’d like to talk more privately too

Ellie x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer in reply to LisaJMatthews

Hi LisaJMatthews

Good to hear from you though no need to apologise as I can imagine how busy you have been back and forth to the MBU. Such good news that your daughter might be discharged soon. I think when she is discharged, she will have support from the perinatal mental health team until your grandchild is one year and regular reviews and contact with a CPN.

I remember when I was eventually discharged I did miss the ‘security’ of the psychiatric unit and felt a bit overwhelmed returning to routine and a baby! My first son was six months old when we were reunited. Thankfully your daughter has been with her baby so I’m sure she will settle into the comforts of home and find her place.

I hope the PP Insider Guide “Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis” mentioned earlier at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... has been reassuring as there are personal experiences on the page.

Please take care of yourself too. We are all here to support you x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello LisaJMatthews

I’m sure you must be very busy if your daughter has now been discharged. Thinking of you .... take care. x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily Thank you for your message , sorry I’ve not replied I’ve been so busy with my daughter & grandson . My daughter hasn’t been very good at all , she keeps zoning out plus she’s not being very responsive to her baby ... like letting him scream . Think I’m going to ring her care support worker tomorrow for some advice as it’s very difficult trying to look after them both . I’m not sure she’s really bonded with the baby , did you bond with your baby ?

Xx

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

Thank you for taking time to update ..... you must be exhausted. I’m so sorry that although Iovely to be home, your daughter is struggling at the moment.

It did take a while for me to bond with my son and I felt detached. I think for me it might have been a confidence issue as I had been in hospital, mostly without him, for his first six months. I remember being anxious if he didn’t wake every four hours to be bottle fed and would gently stroke his face.

I think it will take time for your daughter to come to terms with all that has happened. Do you think it might be the medication which is holding her back? As well as her care worker, I also hope she has support from the perinatal mental health team until your grandson is one year? I think it would also be a good idea to ring the GP to record your feelings and perhaps he might arrange regular contact with the CPN? It must be very difficult for you to access support in these restricted times but the GP does have a duty of care.

It’s early days in your daughter’s recovery but I hope you can find some space for a moment to yourself. We are always here to listen 💜 Take care.

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily Yes I think it might be the meds holding her back , maybe half of it anyway . She’s actually my step daughter but it’s easier to say my daughter . I think she’s young to have had a baby too ... at 19 so a lot of it could be age & experience but that doesn’t help when she’s letting the baby cry & ignoring him . Personally I think the MBU discharged her too soon even though she was in there 18 weeks x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

Thank you for your reply. I think it’s a fine balance with medication as it can feel like things are in slow motion but keeping you stable at the time. I was 23 when I had my first son .... 19 is a young age to go through such an awful experience as well as ECT treatment isn’t it? Honestly when I came home for good I was like a fish out of water, trying to cope with routine and what was expected of me as a mum.

Perhaps when your daughter feels more settled and her care team support is on the scene, she might feel a bit more confident in settling her son? I can remember thinking everyone was far better than I was at coping when my son cried, so I knew he was cared for.

I hope the care support worker will be helpful tomorrow and the level of care is increased. Otherwise you will wear yourself out trying to do all you can for your daughter and treasured grandson. Please reach out for the support you deserve. x

Maria_at_APP profile image
Maria_at_APPModerator

Hi LisaJMathews, Is a lot on your plate at the moment, so please look out for support for yourself, your GP may be a good port of call, I know you feel like your daughter is the priority now but do look after yourself because it can become too much. The charity mind also has some good resources on support for carers: mind.org.uk/information-sup...

Home Start may be a resource to tap into as well, I am not sure how they are operating at the moment with the current restrictions, but perhaps they can give your daughter a call or chat with her on video or book her for some visits when the situation normalises a bit more.

home-start.org.uk/

There are a few videos online that show some baby massage techniques which I followed when mine was little, perhaps you can try doing one of them with your daughter and grandson and then encourage your daughter to do them on her own? Confidence as a mum is non-existent after pp, like Lilybeth says I also thought everyone else did a better job than me looking after my daughter. It takes time and patience and lots of care, but I am sure she'll gain confidence as her baby grows and bond with him with no issues.

I hope the chat with the care worker today goes well and that they listen to your concerns. Take care

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Dear Lisa,I am sorry that your daughter in law is still struggling, it is still early days and the up and down nature of recovery, is so difficult for her and you too I know. She will get there and is fortunate to have your caring support, it will help her confidence and I think I said before it will mean a lot. I hope your grandson brings you joy amidst your difficulties. So glad you found APP you have had such encouraging, supportive replies.. Do, as others had said, take care of yourself too, I know you have had your own health worries.

Thinking of you.

Judith x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello Lisa

I hope you found time to speak to your daughter’s care support worker about her ongoing care and also help for yourself. Thinking of you. x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily thank you yes we all had a nice long chat with my daughter there too & they’re going to sort out some support for us . My daughter talked about how she felt & she’s going to start to write a diary & write 3 objectives for every day for her to do , a positive thought (this will help her mindset ) plus she’s going to write how she feels .... hopefully this will all start to help her going forward. I always think it helps to write things down x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer in reply to LisaJMatthews

Hi Lisa

So glad you were all able to have a good chat and some support will be sorted out. It’s good that you daughter was able to talk openly about how she felt, probably due to your encouragement rather than bottling it up. A diary is a good idea .... simple steps to give a sense of achievement at the end of the day.

I’m with you, I think it helps to write things down. It will also give your daughter’s care team a good idea of how she’s been feeling to review things going forward. Remember to give yourself a break too x

Ellie_at_APP profile image
Ellie_at_APPPartner

Hi Lisa,

I just wanted to write too to say I'm thinking of you and your daughter. I'm sorry she is struggling. As others have said, in my experience it was really normal to have ups and downs in mood in recovery. I remember at times feeling completely disconnected and overwhelmed, and probably appeared 'zoned out', as you describe your daughter. I remember feeling like I had no capacity at all to look after my son, which made me feel even worse (e.g. not coping at all if he cried, and just feeling frozen like I didn't know what to do).

It's really good your daughter has opened up about how she felt. This is so important I think, rather than trying to hold everything in. The idea of writing a diary sounds like a really good one. I definitely found having a few objectives each day really helped me - realistic and achievable ones (e.g. just small household tasks, or going for a walk etc) and this helped me to feel like I had managed, and that I hadn't completely given up. And then also trying to write something positive about the day, at the end of each day, really helped me too, as you say just trying to build on to and build positive thoughts rather than spiralling down into negative ones.

I really hope that this helps your daughter. My experience was that nothing had instant effect but somehow a mixture of all these things, as well as medication, therapy etc were like small building blocks that slowly helped me.

I know it's hard to believe it when you're in the middle of it, but your daughter really will get better and recover and come through this.

Take care, and know you can write here anytime, Ellie X

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello Lisa

Since you last posted I hope the support worker has arranged a package of ongoing care for your daughter and help at home for you, although difficult in these Covid days.

I think it does take time to adjust to routine after being in the mother and baby unit or hospital but step by step your daughter will feel better, especially with your loving care. Remember to take time out for yourself. x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily Thank you for your lovely message , unfortunately my daughter dipped quite a bit so she’s gone back to a mbu but a different one though so hopefully she won’t be in there long & she’ll recover . She kept zoning out more and more xx

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for taking time to reply. I’m sorry to hear your daughter has returned to the mbu, although a different one. I also needed to go back into the psychiatric unit as I wasn’t coping at home. So like your daughter, it was the best place for me to get better and eventually return home to continue recovering. I think getting the right balance of medication and treatment is important to feeling better.

Recovering from PP is a lot to come to terms with and your daughter has been through so much already with ECT involved, which I had too.

I’m sure you’re very busy again visiting the mbu to see your daughter and grandchild which will be so reassuring for her. Remember to take care of yourself too as it’s a worrying time but in some way a comfort that she will be receiving the specialist care she needs at the moment. Thinking of you xx

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Dear LisaJMatthews,I am so sorry that your daughter is still so unwell and has had to return to the mbu, a different one, I hope it is closer to home. PP is such a difficult illness, not least the the up and down nature on the road to recovery, such a disappointment when there are such high hopes of being home. She may be exhausted, working hard to be well and it will mean such a lot to her that you are there so lovingly caring, practically supporting, helping her to regain her confidence.. I think it is encouraging that she opended up and was able to say how she felt.. So yes this feels like a setback but as others have said the mbu is the place to help her to be well and she can be home well again.

Take care of you too.

Thinking of you.

Judith xx

ps apologies, in last post I realise I wrongly wrote daughter in law not daughter (step).

Maria_at_APP profile image
Maria_at_APPModerator

Hi LisaJMatthews,

I am sorry to hear that your daughter has gone back to an mbu after spending some time at home, but like others have said, it is a positive thing that the support is there for her now. Recovery can be very up and down with pp, but having a temporary setback doesn't mean that she won't recover fully, quite the opposite pp is a very recoverable illness.

I hope you are allowed to visit her and your grandson at the unit, I am sure seeing you is very reassuring for her, even though she may look lost in her own world she is very much there and feeling your loving and caring support.

Take care

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Maria_at_APP

Ah thank you for your kind words , I just hope she recovers fully in the mbu . Her memory has also got worse too think this could be down to the ECT she had x

Maria_at_APP profile image
Maria_at_APPModerator in reply to LisaJMatthews

Hi LisaJMatthews,

We are always here for when you need to talk, look after yourself too you have also been under a lot of pressure. Take good care

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

It’s not easy for you but try not to worry about your daughter’s memory being worse. After my ECT sessions it took a while for my memory to return to where it was before, although I did have gaps about my psychosis.

It will be frustrating for you daughter but as she slowly gets better in the mbu, she can eventually continue recovering at home with your loving support. Thinking of you. x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

Thinking of you and wondering if your daughter is still in the mbu? Whether in the mbu or at home, I hope she is slowly recovering. It does take a while but she will be well eventually. Take good care of yourself too. xx

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily thank you for your message . My step daughter is still in the mbu & seems to be making slow progress albeit very slow . They seem to be encouraging her to get on with everyday life things which seems to be helping her . She is coming home for Christmas with the baby so we will get a better idea of how she is then . Hope you are well x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

I think recovery can be very slow as it has only been months since the trauma of PP. It took me a while to find my place. It’s a good sign that being encouraged to get on with routine of life things is helping your step daughter. I hope when she returns home she will feel comforted by familiar surroundings and your good care. Will the support worker be available if needed?

It will be lovely for you to have more time with your precious grandchild too. Please remember to take care of yourself.

I’m well thank you and looking forward to being with family for lunch on Christmas day. x

There is hope, it just takes time and the right help to recover from this illness. Thinking of you and your family xxx

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to

Thank you x

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Hello Lisa,I hope that your daughter is improving every day, she has had such a difficult time. Thinking of you and hoping that all will be well, it will be lovely for you all to have both your daughter baby home for Christmas. You have had such a lot of supportive replies from the brave, inspirational mums, I hope you can take hope from them. Take care of you too.

Wishing you, your daughter and all your family a peaceful Christmas and a happy, healthy new year.

Love with a hug

Judith x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to NanaJudith_APP_Vol

Hi Judith thank you for your message & hope you & your family all have a great Christmas too x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello Lisa

I hope you had a lovely family Christmas with your stepdaughter and grandchild. Have they gone back into the MBU?

When I was first on leave from the hospital I did feel anxious at returning home to routine. I hope in some way your support has encouraged her to feel hopeful in her recovery. Please take care of yourself too x

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lilybeth

Thank you our Christmas was lovely hope yours was good too. My stepdaughter & grandson went back after 5 days due to COVID rules . They are now out again for a few days over new year , she is doing well and all being well she will be discharged at the end of the month. Her mental health is loads better but she still has a way to go re baby care but I’m sure she will get there .

Happy new year x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

So good to hear that your Christmas was lovely with your stepdaughter and precious grandson. It’s great that she is doing well and home again for a few days. Such a difference when we get our mental health back. I’m sure she is looking forward to hopefully being discharged and the end of this month to continue her recovery with all your loving care.

Happy new year .... what an amazing support you are. Stay safe and take care.

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Dear Lisa,As Lilybeth said really, how wonderful to know that you have had such a lovely Christmas after such a dark time. Hope on the horizon in lots of ways.So good to know also that there is such an improvement in your step daughter's health. She has had such a shock and trauma and then the struggle and hard work to be well but I think as her confidence grows she will be a great mum, especially with your steadfast, loving support.

Take care of yourself too.

Best wishes for health and happiness for 2021.

Love with a hug

Judith

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to NanaJudith_APP_Vol

Thank you Judith for your kind words . Yes she is definitely getting there but just needs to step up with the baby care I don’t think they are pushing her on the mbu to do night feeds etc . These things will come in time I know , it’s just been a long road .

Happy new year to you too xx

NanaJudith_APP_Vol profile image
NanaJudith_APP_VolVolunteer

Hi again Lisa,It is all such a worry isn't it and I do understand your concerns, however, I had to think we have to trust that with their experience the staff in the mbu know what they are doing. I think it is a fine balance to make sure the Mums in their care get enough rest, which is imperative to their recovery, and learn to take care of their babies.

In these difficult covid days it doesn't make things easier does it. Hopefully, when your step daughter is home she will get good support from the local mental health team and with your kind help, the hoped for things, as you said these will come in time, she and baby will be ok.

It can seem a long road and worry is exhausting, I know. Be kind to yourself, take care of yourself. 2021 can surely only bring better things for us all.

With a hug

Judith

Maria_at_APP profile image
Maria_at_APPModerator

Hi Lisa,

I am glad you are seeing the signs of improvement in your daughter. Its all important steps in the right direction. If its of any help to share my experience, I also struggled with the night feeds due to the high dosis of medication, I was only able to do them 2 weeks before being discharged from the mbu. It is a careful balance indeed between helping your daughter gain confidence and independence and allowing her to rest, and yes, sometimes there may be other factors as well like a smaller group of nurses looking after the night shift, but mbu staff do real wonders, your daughter is in the best place for her and she will come through this, with the professional help and your love and support.

Take care, its lovely to read how far she has comed, look also after yourself, this is a difficult time but we are all here for you when you need us

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hello Lisa

I hope you are well and your daughter is continuing to improve in the mbu. Hopefully she is still on course to be discharged at the end of this month to continue her recovery under your loving care. Stay safe and take care.

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Hi Lily thank you for your message , yes my daughter is still due to be discharged at the end of this month . She’s doing so much better now, she’s been waking in the night to the baby too which is so much better . Hope you are well x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for taking time out to reply. So happy to hear that your daughter is still due to be discharged at the end of this month and is doing so much better now. I think it does take a while for our motherly instinct to surface after the fog of PP lifts and we emerge from the trauma.

It must be such a relief for you and I’m sure the support of the perinatal team will be reassuring when your daughter returns home with your precious grandchild. With very best wishes .... take care x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

Hi Lisa

Not long until the end of the month when hopefully your daughter is still due to be discharged. I remember when I was discharged, feeling a bit anxious but it was lovely to have my home comforts and family around me. Thinking of you ... take care.

LisaJMatthews profile image
LisaJMatthews in reply to Lilybeth

Thank you Lily for your message , my daughter & grandson were discharged on Monday & both are doing really well x

Lilybeth profile image
LilybethVolunteer

That’s wonderful news Lisa :) So happy that your daughter and grandson are home and doing really well ...... such precious memories to be made. Take care x

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