postpartum phycosis

[LucyChambers23]

recently had a baby girl after 7 miscarriages she’s now a beautiful 6 month old but I’m. Currently suffering with symptoms of PP scared to seek medical advice as I’ve read the treatment is a ward or mother and baby unit ,

Is there other forms of treatments can I refuse the units ?

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator]

Hi LucyChambers23 , thank you for reaching out to us. I know personally from experience it can be scary admitting you are feeling unwell and then not knowing where to turn to for help can be daunting too. When I was unwell my husband contacted the crisis team and they got sent out to assess me and I was later admitted to a mother and baby unit. I was very anxious about going anywhere other than home but I must reassure you the mother and baby unit was great. It provided me with lots of support. I'll attach a link shortly for some reassurance.

Firstly I would say contact your GP and see if you can personally go there and discuss your symptoms. Depending on your situation you may be placed in a mother and baby unit or you may receive care at home. I have found the care provided for mothers who are unwell is great and the services are very supportive. Be reassured you will get support and the fact you are taking action is a great step, I know it is daunting but its the right step in the right direction.

I hope you get some reassurance from reading this and get some support from the system soon ❤️

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator]

This may not be relevant to you as you may be treated at home but here is a link of the Mother and Baby unit which I stayed at. I found it very reassuring to watch LucyChambers23

youtu.be/-K3vt-aHbvM(Not working as expected?)

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Lucy,

I am so pleased to meet you on here. I am sorry that you feel unwell. Maybe you could explain your symptoms and whether you had any diagnosis? If you get very poorly it is vital to seek help. Are you with somebody you can trust and talk to? A loved one who can accompany you to a health professional, firstly GP?

Your notes are brief, but reading from your information, you've been through such a lot. Grief is something which really can affect your emotional stability and on the other hand experiencing this immense joy of your beautiful daughter. So much to digest and so much to cope with.

Please, do not worry about a diagnosis and in case of PPP I can reassure you that an MBU is the best place for a mum and baby. Of course, every case is different, and some may recover at home/own sanctuary.

I was extremely unfortunate in 2010 in not receiving appropriate professional support and suffered with extreme trauma in a mixed gender Psychiatric hospital. My recovery was slowed down because of grief due to losing my dad and mum in law suddenly.

However, a group of mums were playing a key role within a stakeholder family group for the NHS. All mums and their families with lived experiences contributed to the interior and exterior design of a new mother and baby unit. Lucy, it was an amazing project, because towards the end I met the newly appointed professionals online and visited on the first day of opening. It was an immense healing process for me, because from that day on I knew that mums and babies will receive appropriate support and help and being cared for by health professionals.

I never wanted any mum to experience what I had to experience ever. I am at ease and at peace knowing that MBU's are the best facilities when suffering with Post-Partum Psychosis.

I hope this will give you a bit of reassurance.

Take good care of yourself.

[Cheryl-2021 Volunteer]

Hello Lucy 👋

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter 💞

I would strongly recommend speaking to your Midwife, GP or Health Visitor about the symptoms you are experiencing. Treatment can be offered at home or in an MBU depending on the severity. I can assure you that MBUs are a safe, loving and caring places to be. The video posted by Zebunisa was made to reassure Mums around this. Also the level of care at home that can be provided is valuable.

I hope reading these comments gives you the reassurance to speak with professionals 💞

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi LucyChambers23,

I am so glad you have found the forum and are reaching out here, this is a community of brave mothers who have lived through similar experiences as yours. I am really sorry you are experiencing some symptoms of pp at the moment, it is a severe mental illness, however mums do go on to make full recovery from it, be confident that you will get better and be back to your old self.

It is important to reach out for professional help as this illness can escalate fast. In terms of voluntary treatment, it is possible to be an informal patient in a mother and baby unit. When I was ill with pp 4 years ago I was initially sectioned due to the severity of my symptoms, the section was lifted after a fortnight and I remained as a voluntary patient in the MBU for a couple of months. Towards the end of my stay in the MBU I spent more time on leave at home than in the unit.

As others have mentioned, the prospect of going to a mother and baby unit can seem daunting at the beginning, however these are very different places to mixed or female-only psychiatric wards. They are completely catered for mothers and their babies, with staff specialised on perinatal mental health. There may be an offer of different therapies through the week, including one to one counselling, family therapy, access to peer support, craft sessions, mother and baby bonding activities, physical exercise, etc.

It is not easy to take that first step to reach out for support from professionals, I remember being very scared not really knowing what could happen to me. It is so human. But do reach out to your GP or your Health Visitor and try and be as transparent as possible with them. Sometimes it helps to write down some notes before a chat so you won't forget important things, and having a member of your family or close friend with you at your appointment will feel reassuring.

Do take good care, please do not hesitate to drop us any questions

[The_Wes_Anderson_Fan Volunteer]

Hi Lucy

I am delighted to hear you have a beautiful baby after everything you have been through.

If you feel you are getting PP symptoms, it is important to get medical help and talk through the options.

I agree with other replies. I really hope that there is an MBU near you as it was a very positive experience for me and my baby when I had PP. I would tell anyone not to be scared as you will be extremely well looked after.

Thinking of you.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi LucyChambers23

It's Ellie from APP here, I had postpartum psychosis in 2011 after the birth of my son, and was treated in a mother and baby unit.

I just wanted to repeat what others have said here. I know it is a very scary and worrying time, but I do hope you have been able to reach out to some professionals (midwife, GP, health visitor), and let them know how you are feeling? Perhaps a family member can help you do that?

The sooner you get support, the quicker you will get better, and the least likely you will need to be admitted to hospital.

And I would agree with what others have read here, a mother and baby unit was a really positive and safe place for me to recover, and get the support I needed. Like many of us here, you definitely will come through this.

Take care, and do know you can write here whenever you need to

Ellie

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello LucyChambers23

Please don’t suffer in silence but reach out for the medical support you need. PP symptoms can be frightening so I think for your own peace of mind it would be helpful to confide in family or a trusted friend to let them know how you are feeling, instead of bottling it up.

I had PP twice many years ago and during my recovery after my second son was born, I was treated at home by the Home Treatment Team, consisting of all professionals. I had regular visits from a psychiatrist and team and eventually fully recovered. There were times when I was admitted to general psychiatric care but I am so thankful that I received such care and attention. Now there are MBUs which are such specialist places for mums and their babies.

You have been through so much to have such a treasured daughter but I think it’s now time to show yourself compassion and seek the help you deserve.

Thank you for writing .... we are all here for you. 🌹

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi Lucy

I hope you found the replies here helpful and that you have now reached out to your GP for the support and reassurance you need. Or perhaps you managed to confide in family or friends? It takes a lot of courage to talk openly but you need to be kind to yourself and relieve any stress. Thinking of you ... take care.