Has anyone had depression prior to giving birth? Also does anyone have any experience of going into a mother and baby unit?

[Carabella]

Do you know if Social Services are involved on the fringes if this will impact your assessment of care for the child after the birth whilst in a mother and baby unit?

[uruztiwaz]

Hi Carabella,

I was diagnosed with prenatal depression and my GP referred me to a Perinatal Psychiatrist. I was going through a pretty bad time and they really helped me.

I don't know whether Social Services are involved or if it impacts the assessment of care for the child if you're in a mother and baby unit. I didn't experience any contact from Social Services before the birth or since and I have been continuing the Psych visits up until recently.

Maybe these website would help? app-network.org/what-is-pp/... pandasfoundation.org.uk/hel...

I know its not much but hopefully you'll find the information you need. If you haven't already I'd suggest speaking to your GP about referral to a Perinatal Psychiatrist, they're there to support you.

xxx

[Carabella]

Hi Uruztiwaz,

Many thanks for your reply and for the suggestions. I have seen the Perinatal Psychiatrist but was reluctant to tell them I am suffering so they indicated they would keep an eye on me after the birth but they are not too concerned.

I will have to think about what to do next. I have contacted PANDA and they have been brilliant.

Many thanks

[amy5891]

Hey hun,

I've never heard of a mother and baby unit, dont know if its different in my area or if its just called something else here but I've had sevre form of depression which comes and goes.

After giving birth to my son i thought i was to be off work for 6 months then suddenly woke up one morning when he was 8 weeks old discovering I had to start back in work the next day. Long story short bonding with my son went badly, work was awful and no one was listening or helping. Massive depression cycle, hallucinations, suicidal. Saw psychiatrists and had meds and suddenly snapped out of it but it comes back when im stressed.

Whilst pregnant recently with my daughter as it was so stressful (was told multiple times I was miscarrying then she was born 9 weeks early via placental abruption naturally) started getting the depression and hallucinations again. Got reviewed by perinatal psychiatrist, they said id be fine once I gave birth and she was home and that's it. No social services, no follow up nothing.

I would say to be honest becauee if they feel or find out you're lieing or not giving the full story more likely to investigate. The more open you are the more they feel you dont need much help as you understand and grasp the situation so are therefore safe with the baby xxxx

[Mumov5]

Hi I personally feel that once uve accepted having a mental illness instead of feeling ashamed or lonely then that's half of the battle! Being honest with everyone, including yourself, remember not everyone understands depression! And finally prove to yourself that only you can make your fears and thoughts go away. I've had depression since I was 15yrs old. After years of denying and avoiding the truth I some how found strength to fight it and accept help. I have five children and after each birth I would suffe postnatal depression. I missed enjoying my babies while they were small as I was to busy feeling sorry for myself and hurt that no one understood me. So when I was half way through my last pregnancy with my FIRST daughter I decided I wasn't going to do nothing and dread those days coming, I wasn't going to resent my daughter and I was going to beat it b4 it got to me! I was on a few anti depressants b4 I fell preg and the dose had to be halved during. I managed fine and asked the doctor if I cud restart my usual dosage the first day after giving birth. That way my meds were in my system within two weeks and I was ready to fight the postnatal battle head on! Four months post preg I'm coping better than I ever have my whole life and I feel I can get through anything thrown at me and it's all down to me! Wishing you all the best for the future xxx

[Carabella in reply to Mumov5]

Hi Mumo,

I was also wondering if you stayed on meds after the birth at all or whether you had to stop breastfeeding? Would be really interested to know!!

Many thanks,

xx

[Mumov5 in reply to Carabella]

My meds were safe at a lower dose right through pregnancy. I knew that the stress of coping with depression with no meds could do more harm to my baby than what staying on them would do. I chose not to breast feed as I trust baby formula now a days works just as well breast milk and bcoz I felt I'd done a perfect job building my babies immune system up during pregnancy. Xx

[Carabella]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for your reply. I was wondering if you continued breast feeding whilst on meds or whether you stopped breast feeding completely?

Thanks for sharing, that was really helpful!

x

[craftingfoxcub]

Some meds are fine for breastfeeding, and throughout pregnancy. I am seeing a perinatal psychiatrist and she is great. We meet once a month and I feel I am able to talk to her about how I feel. Social services are not involved. The fact that I am seeing help is counted in my favour. My midwife, health visitor and gp are all aware of my conditions and are supporting me to ensure that they are managed and don't become worse. Talking can be hard, but you are missing support if you pretend you are fine. I'm not fine. I'm capable of looking after my baby when he is born. Nobody is interested in taking him away. I have been absolutely reassured of that, because I was honest and asked. I trust the people I work with, and they explained what removing a child actually entails. I was really reassured. You could try going back to a perinatal psychiatrist. If your case is open, which it should be if you will see them after birth, you can call up and request an appointment.

You can also request to see different people if you don't feel able to talk to the first person you see, although perinatal teams are often small.

[chlary89]

I am so glad to hear you are all being looked after. I had the most traumatic experience with pre-natal depression initially being handed a termination clinic number by the midwife when i said i was not feeling good and when i presented at 'a and e' as i knew there was something seriously wrong, the doctor went through my satisfactory blood results stating my hormones were 'through the roof' asked how was my mood and when i said 'i just feel spaced out all the time' because i was in too much of a hole to say i felt like the world was ending, life was falling apart, i felt totally disgusting, i couldn't get out of bed or speak some days and i literally couldn't visualise a day after the birth, just nothingness, he shrugged, said your just pregnant and sent me away. Pre-natal depression is a clinical condition which can happen to anyone, i had just got a high powered job, a new loving relationship n had everything going for me but the fear and despair were completely overwhelming. i had never even heard of pre-natal depression or pandas and one of the symptoms is an inability to ask for help. I am glad to see there is more awareness of it than i thought. Good luck everyone x

[Carabella]

Hi Chlary,

Thanks for your post. How did you come through it all? Did things change after the birth and where you put on medication? What sort of help did you get?

Many thanks x

[Carabella]

Thanks Craftingfoxclub xx