Should I have more kids?

[Cookinggal]

Hello,

I experienced severe post partum psychosis. I was hospitalized for 2 months my daughters first year of life and it took me years and many many hours in therapy and on medication to recover. My daughter is now seven and we’ve adopted our son and I’m starting to titrate off of medication.

I never thought I’d want to get pregnant again, but now I’m thinking about it again. I know the chances of experiencing ppp are high, but maybe it would be easier to treat with knowing about it and proper support?

I just want to see if I’m crazy for even considering it.

[WonderWomanUK]

Hi Cookinggal! Congratulations on your little girl and adoption that’s amazing! My daughter is only 9 months old but we’ve decided if we have more children it would be through adoption not naturally. (Which is why it’s so lovely to read you adopted!)

I have been discharged from the perinatal service this week and my nurse said don’t let it put me off. As soon as I fall pregnant again (if I choose to) I’d have that support. And I’m sure that’s the same for every perinatal service wherever you are!

I’m still unsure myself but like I say she’s only 9 months old!

I’m sure it would be easier, knowing the signs and having support but totally understand it’s a difficult decision to make! If you feel the desire to get pregnant I’d say go for it!

I wish you and your family well whatever you decide x

[Redtap Volunteer]

Hi Cookinggal,

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles with PP. Whether or not to have another child of your own is such a personal choice.

I can only tell you about my experience. I had PP back in 2002 and was in hospital for a month until they could get me in the MBU. I was then in the MBU for about 3.5 months and did not come off all my medication until my son was 2 years, 2 months old. It was a long hard struggle and I felt robbed of the early days with my son as he was not with me for the first month of his life but I was desperate for another baby.

We went to see the psychiatrist who had treated me and she gave me my estimated risk of suffering from PP again and ways in which my risk could be reduced. I was not allowed to do the night feeds for the first 2 or 3 months and I took prophylactic medication from the day my second son was born. I was very lucky as I remained well.

I was never offered counselling for PP. I don't think this was offered back in 2002 but having another baby was very healing for me. It made me realise how unwell I had been the first time and how none of it had been my fault and I 'd done my best at the time.

I wish you well while you look at your options. It is so hard to decide what to do, sometimes you just have to follow your heart but just get all your risk factors and other facts together before you decide.

Best of luckxxx

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hello Cookinggal,

It is a very personal decision at the end of the day, I can relate my experience, but I think it was a good idea to post here as you can get feedback both from mums that went on to have other babies and those who didn't.

I had pp in 2018 after the birth of my daughter, when I was discharged from the community perinatal team my psychiatrist told me, it's early days at the moment, but try not to let this weight too much on your decision to have a family the size you want it to be. Those were wise words, at the time I could not think of having another baby and it was like that for a couple years more still.

In 2021 we got pregnant again and the support for us as a family was there from the beginning. My pregnancy was closely followed up and luckily I escaped pp but did experienced some depression that was treated at home with therapy and medication.

If you are considering another pregnancy, do talk to your doctor and ask for a preconception counselling chat with a perinatal psychiatrist. Is a good opportunity to ask questions, I had loads in my mind, and it can hopefully take some uncertainty out of the decision.

Take good care, do let us know if you have further questions, I wish you all the best

Maria