pregnant awaiting abortion

[Lavender456]

Hi All

I am a year on from PP and I am 4 weeks pregnant. I've decided that it is for the best to get an abortion due to my mental health however I am cautious about the affect this may have on me due to the stoping of the pregnancy hormones. I'm worried it could trigger Psychosis. Does anyone have any information around this?

Thanks in advance

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Lavender456

I’m so glad you felt able to reach out to us here.

I’m afraid I don’t know of any information about the risk of psychosis after an abortion , if you’ve had pp before, but I will try and find out for you by asking our clinical advisers, to see if they know anything about it. I will write on here as soon as I hear anything .

I have found looking after myself, doing things I enjoy, exercise, and getting enough sleep all really helps with my mental health, I hope you can find things that help you too.

Take care

Ellie

[Lavender456 in reply to Ellie_at_APP]

Thank you Ellie that would be much appreciated

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Lavender456]

Hi Lavender456

I wanted to write to let you know I heard back from our advisers, and they have said there is no increased risk of psychosis in the case of an early abortion.

Thinking of you, do know we are here for you, if you'd find it helpful to chat with someone. You can contact us at [e-mail] , or me directly [e-mail]

Take care,

Ellie

[Seasky18 Volunteer]

Hi Lavender456

I don't have any information I'm afraid, but I wanted to reach out and send you all the love I can, what a courageous decision, sending you love and support through your journey.

As Ellie has said, I too know how important looking after myself is and if it was me I would be taking some time to plan ways I could help myself to be well rested and lifted through the journey. I'd also be talking with my trusted support network as I know having people around me to lean on if needed and feeling like I have a team around me always helps me navigate difficult times so the pressure isn't on me alone.

You are amazing, I can only imagine how much I'd have struggled in your situation.

Big hugs x

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Lavender456, I have no information on this, I am sorry, but I am wondering if you have a good GP that you can check with if you start noticing any early symptoms? It may be an idea to set up an appointment before you have the procedure and explain your concerns so that they can give you a call back after a few days to check up on you. Its not bad to be prepared and then to not need the help at all.

Take very good care, do let us know how you are getting on

Maria

[JosephineFay]

Hi Lavender, wanted to reach out to you to send you a virtual hug for the tough time you've had. Get support early eg make sure that your GP is a good one and see if maybe you can talk with a perinatal specialist who specialises in ppp who can talk you through the hormone fluctuations that you might experience. After approx 7 episodes of psychosis over 18 years if there's one thing I've learnt is that ppp may be linked to trauma and I think that early talking therapies is vital. Keep talking to us and your loved ones. You've done so well by seeking help.

Jo

[Fatimahg]

Unfortunately miscarriage has worsened/triggered PP in my wife several times.

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Lavender,

I hope you will receive some clarification from APP's health experts via Ellie fairly soon. Thank you for sharing your concerns.

Your decission is a big brave step: Firstly your worry about possible Psychosis trigger, but secondly the abortion itself and possible emotional effects.

Some very supportive mails below, and I would suggest the same ; that your support network has to be put in place...because unexpected triggers may affect your mental health.

Do you have health professionals you trust?

Do not walk this path on your own, when you have an abortion date? Have somebody to accompany you.

Discuss the after-care with loved ones, you can trust, rely on and are none-judgmental.

I would suggest that somebody helps you to share your chores and help looking after your one year old.

Once you have carried out the procedure healing time, self-care and self-love is realy important. I would suggest to have some therapeutic time, but also think of the option of counselling. I wonder whether there is some sort of talking therapy for mums, who have had to have an abortion due to health concerns or other enforced issues.

I will see whether I can find something, but address this to health experts, APP admin and volunteers with lived experiences, too!

Thinking of you and so pleased that you are talking about this difficult issue. You may help others, who will find themselves in the same position. Thus, well done for your bravery.

x

[Maria_at_APP Moderator in reply to Pikorua]

What a thoughtful reply Pikorua. So relevant what you say about planning for the emotional aspect too and give space to those feelings.

[Isabella5991]

just sending you a massive hug. What a tough time to be going through. A couple years ago, I said to my self I would consider abortion if I got pregnant again accidentally as I was so terrified to go through pp again. It’s so awful what we women have to go through who have had pp. I had a much milder, week long episode when I stopped breastfeeding a couple years ago, if that helps at all. Perhaps you may have some affects, but hopefully not severe like a full blown pp episode. Good luck and keep in touch with us here and your doctors xxx

[Fatimahg]

Hello Lavender, My wife had PP twice and we have four kids. It doesn't happen every time - around 50% of births if you have had PP before. I felt so scared when she got pregnant again, but now we a beautiful little boy of two years. I wish you the very best.

[Redtap Volunteer]

Hi Lavender456,

I'm sorry to hear about your present situation and the worry over the risks of PP.

I had my episode of PP about 21 years ago now so the advice I was given at the time may be out of date. However I was told that any pregnancy would run the risk of another episode of PP whether that was a full term pregnancy or not. With this in mind I would definitely seek medical advice from your doctor and possibly speak to the team that treated you at the time before going ahead with a termination.

I went on to have another child after my PP episode and initially I was given a very high risk of recurrence. However with prophylactic medication and other adjustments i.e. not doing the night feeds for the first few months this reduced the risk down. I didn't have another episode with my second child.

I wonder if you would be able to get your own individual risk of relapse assessed and steps put in place to reduce the risk. I went to see my psychiatrist to talk about another pregnancy. Do you think you would be able to speak to the psychiatrist who treated you at the time, for advice?

Hopefully Ellie will be able to get back to you shortly with more up to date information.

In the meantime I'm sending hugs and hoping that everything works out well for you.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Lavender456

I just wanted to send a hug your way too.

I think reaching out to healthcare professionals and making sure you have good support networks in place is important, both now in helping you to prepare and then in case you do experience any symptoms.

Take really good care and look after yourself, you’ve had some lovely replies and suggestions and I’m so glad you’ve reached out here.

Sending very best wishes,

Jenny x

[Survivedwithcolor]

That’s a very tough situation and I’m sure a difficult decision to make. We are better mothers when we are well ourselves and I understand that motive to provide the best home for a child as well as care for yourself.

I said to someone on another thread, there’s a saying: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Even if you don’t have effects from the hormonal change in your body, it’s possible the emotions from the procedure will affect your mood. I know that would be true for me. Have some trusted people looking out for you and aware of what is going on, and try to give yourself at least a few days of rest and good self care after the procedure. I hope it all goes easily for you and so sorry you are having to go through this.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Lavender456,

I just wanted to send you a little message to say I hope you’re doing ok.

Know we’re here to listen if ever it feels helpful.

Thinking of you xx