second baby after PP

[Jp124]

Hi

Is there anyone on here who has experienced PP after first pregnancy and went on to have another child? I had PP after my first pregnancy, she’s now coming up to 1 and we’re hoping to try for another next year. I’d love to hear if any other mums also went on to have a second child and whether or not you experienced PP for a second time.

Thank you!

[Irishgirl1710 Volunteer]

Hello JpMy name is Ailania and I experienced psychosis in 2019 after giving birth to my son. Last year I had a little girl, with no reoccurrence of psychosis. I had close monitoring from perinatal mental health team, and was able to remain off of medication during my pregnancy.

I'm happy to answer any further questions you may have.

All the best

[Jp124 in reply to Irishgirl1710]

Hi Ailania!

Thank you for replying and so happy for you that you didn’t get PP a second time round. How was your labour with your second? I had quite a traumatic birth with my first so I’m hoping to have a planned section if we were to have another, in the hope that it’ll be less traumatic.

X

[Irishgirl1710 Volunteer in reply to Jp124]

Both my labour's were similar, long and ending in interventions in theatre. I had considered a planned section but would have found the recovery quite difficult

[Isabella5991]

Hello!

How exciting. I’d love another child too. I had PP with my second, but not my first, if that helps! I know lots of people on here didn’t have it with their second. Or if they had some symptoms, it was quickly managed with medication and much milder, so that’s positive too. Good luck and keep us updated as this may be me at some point too! Xx

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Jp124, I had pp with my eldest 5 and a half years ago, I then went on to have another baby 2 and a half years ago, pp did not repeat for me though I did get some depression 2 months post partum that I was able to treat at home with therapy and medication. I also have a diagnosis of bipolar.

You may be aware that you can ask to be referred for preconception counselling with a perinatal psychiatrist. Your GP can make the referral to your local team. It is a good opportunity to understand the risks, options around medication, prenatal and post partum plan to lower the risk of pp, and any other questions you want to ask. I found it very useful for us. There is also the second opinion service run by Cardiff University Psychiatry Service, that advises women who have experienced pp about pregnancy - the link below has more information on it:

app-network.org/get-help/ta....

I wish you all the best, I am sorry to read that you had a traumatic labour with your first, if it helps to know C-section was considered an option for me which I didn't opt for at the end, but had a very good experience with an early induction the second time around (the reason for the induction was also my gestational diabetes). Take good care

Maria

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Jp124,

I had PP after my first son was born in 2012 and went on to have a second baby in 2016. For me, it was a very different experience and fortunately I stayed well the second time.

I'm sorry to hear you had a traumatic birth with your first. I'd hope you'd be able to talk through your previous experiences with the relevant healthcare professionals and put plans in place to reduce the risk of having a similar experience a second time. Having a planned section would seem a sensible option to consider and discuss when the time comes.

For me, sleep deprivation seemed to be a major factor for becoming unwell with PP. I also became very fixated on breastfeeding, which seemed to be constant and which I was convinced I must be 'doing wrong'. So for me, these were things I tried to have a bit more control over the second time - prioritising sleep and rest, and I chose to bottle feed after the initial feeds, again so others could do the night feeds to start with and help me sleep but also just so it didn't become a 'thing' again. I also chose to go onto a low dose of antipsychotic medication after the birth.

I wanted to share APP's insider guide for planning a pregnancy when at high risk of PP, in case you've not already seen it - app-network.org/postpartum-... I found the information, and reading about other women's experiences here on the forum, really helpful - forewarned is forearmed and it made such a difference to me the second time just to know what PP was (!) and for me and those around me to know that it was a risk.

Know we're here to help with any information and support so do ask any questions

Best wishes,

Jenny x