hospital admission

[Casey-Lee]

anyone who’s admitted themselves into either a MBU or a psychiatric ward, did it help? How? What are the benefits? I’m feeling defeated by my psychosis

[hgallo Volunteer]

Hi Casey Lee, I had pp after the birth of my twin girls in 2016. I was admitted to an mbu as a voluntary patient. It was the best place for me. I spent 9 weeks there with my babies. They are set up for mums and babies to get better together. I was supported by nurses, doctors and nursery nurses. We had a baby group in the ward and all ate together. We also did a weekly walking group.It did wonders for me and I returned to the baby group there even after I left. How old is your little one? Have they said an mbu is an option for you? I didn't know they had them in Australia, so I've learnt something new today!

I wasn't on a general psch ward but other ladies on here in will have experience of that.

You'll beat the psychosis with help I promise! Take all the support you can, you'll get there. Take it from me, I got rock bottom with it and I'm so so much better now. Keep in touch xx

[LizzieLizzieLou]

I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling defeated by psychosis. It’s such a tough gig.

I had psychosis in early 2020 and initially went to a general psychiatric ward as I was so unwell and because my baby was also unwell too. I couldn’t be admitted to the MBU without a baby so we had to wait for her to be well enough to be discharged when she was a month old.

I was technically an ‘informal’ patient as I was agreeable to stay in hospital, but I have no doubt that if I had protested then i would have been formally sectioned and be forced to stay and receive treatment.

While I was well looked after on the general psychiatric ward, I would not recommend it if you could go to a MBU. The general ward I was in was not set up to cater for someone struggling after a c-section or needing to pump milk and I wasn’t allowed to see my daughter while I was in there. I didn’t find that helpful for my recovery - but it was nessecery while they trailed medication and supported me to sleep till baby was healthy.

The MBU was amazing tho - the nurses were specially trained to help with baby, they had everything you needed, and it was a softer and more conducive environment for recovery. The nurses were very happy to take baby while I rested, but would also let me take the lead and take a step back when I wanted to build my skills and confidence. Also the doctors there are specially knowledgable around medications for feeding/not and I found that helpful in being able to get a run down of options and feel involved in deciding on my care. They were more focused on caring for us as a ‘family’ which I really liked and made the transition home easier.

I don’t think I could have recovered without my time in the MBU.

If you’re struggling and have the opportunity to admit yourself to the MBU and are comfortable with it, I’d personally recommend you do.

You absolutely deserve to be looked after, cared for and supported during your recovery! I recommend letting people do that for you if you can.

I hope it starts to get a bit easier soon. X

[guinea1]

I went voluntary to a psychiatric hospital, but if I hadn't gone willingly I know they would have done it by force, their was talk of ambulance, but my husband took me. I dont want to scare you, but really it was the worse time of my life and from the stay am still traumatised, this was 1995, so care was a little Victorian... I was really just held there. Luckily my family got me out and I stayed home on leave until more suitable place could be found where l could be with baby.. I don't feel general psychiatric hospital treatment is really any help, we are already traumatised by the illness and be in such a places can definitely make things much worse. After the month I really struggled to bond with baby and felt my spirit had been broken,. The MBU unit I was the only one, with other "safe patients" was totally different experience, they treated me with respect and like a human being. They gave me nothing but encouragement and 1 to 1 support until I felt confident and safe to be on my own with baby .

If you have the choice I would always pick MBU.. I know sometimes mums are just too ill to go, but then I feel they should only stay to get over the very worst of the psychosis.. in an ideal world every MBU needs an adjoining unit for the most poorly mums, where then once they are well enough to start bonding and overcoming any fears around baby.. well that is my opinion anyway.. It just makes my heartbreak to think mums are still having to be separated from babies and put into very unsuitable general psychiatric hospitals where a new mums needs can never be met, or safety from other patients..

The main thing to remember is that you are not alone and you will get better.

[bisketty]

Hi Casey-Lee, I was involuntarily (forcibly) admitted to a general mental health ward (in Queensland) with severe psychosis within a fortnight of having my son, which separated us. About a week later, I was given a room in a Mother and Baby Unit and stayed there for about a month with my baby.

At the time, I obviously needed the acute care in the general ward but found it very traumatic to be separated from my newborn. On the other hand, I highly rated the Mother and Baby Unit and would recommend it. There were some boring moments and some frustrating ones (in terms of limited freedom because I was involuntary, and missing my husband), but having the support of nurses - especially night nurses to get my sleep sorted and thereby remove a major trigger for psychosis - was amazing. They also sorted all my med problems and any other health issues. So I really recommend it.

[ColibriGirl]

Hi Casey-Lee, I am sorry to hear you are suffering. The MBU saved my life. I had postpartum psychosis and my understanding of what was going on came & went in waves. I was so scared of going in to the MBU and eventually I understood that I needed to agree as a voluntary patient or I'd be admitted involuntarily. It didn't take long for me to improve, and the best thing about the MBU is that they are perfectly set up for your baby to be with you.

I benefited so much from having the night nannies look after my little one, so i could sleep properly and not worry about him. I also really loved the activities like dance therapy, cooking therapy and the psychological support there. It is one of the most nurturing mental health environments even though it can be tough when anxiety is really high. If it's an option then it's really worth taking.

Also, once you are stable, you can decide whether you stay or leave. I stayed for 8 weeks and luckily lived near enough to start visiting my home, initially for the day and then overnight, so that I could slowly re integrate to normal life. There were patients who decided to leave the MBU to their families' care after a couple of weeks' stay. It is a good place to recover and the expertise is amazing at helping mums to recover from psychosis.

[The_Wes_Anderson_Fan Volunteer]

Hi Casey-Lee, I didn't admit myself to the MBU, but I went there as a voluntary patient.

It was clear to my GP, husband and myself that I had psychosis. For me, it was definitely the best place to get on top of my psychosis. My experience was very positive, my baby was well cared for while I got lots of rest. My medication could be closely monitored. My psychosis was pretty bad so being protected from the outside world was good for me. There are often various therapies and activities available for you and your baby, such as meditation baby massage etc.

If there is a space being offered to you, I would take it. Most of the women here have had very positive experiences of the MBU but not all.

I don't know if you have a partner, but once you are on the MBU, it gives your partner some respite as they know you are safe and well cared for.

Please keep us updated.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Casey-Lee,

I hope you’ve been ok since you posted a couple of weeks ago and were able to access the support you needed.

Thinking of you and sending warm wishes across the miles.

Jenny x