Previous PPA/PND

Is anyone on a second or third (or more) pregnancy, and suffered with postnatal depression or postpartum anxiety with a previous baby? I had really terrible postpartum anxiety with my first (now 3), and completely lost myself. I would hyperventilate just going to the bathroom because it meant leaving my son in his moses basket for 90 seconds. I never got help with it because when my GP referred me, the perinatal MH team deemed that I wasn't severe enough to need it (despite the above and much more). So I basically just had to ride it out until I started to come out the other side which was 1 year+.

I'm a student midwife and I know full well I am at risk of this happening again. However I also feel generally far more prepared for newborn life this time having done it with my son who was, and still is, a terrible sleeper and stage 5 clinger baby. I've breastfed him for 3 years and was a breastfeeding peer supporter for 18m so I know what to expect from breastfeeding too. Just all round feel better prepared. I know it's a chemical change in the brain that causes it but I am hoping that being this much more prepared will be a huge tick in my favour.

So, long story short, I'm wondering if anyone had PPA/PND in a first or earlier pregnancy, and didn't experience it again in a subsequent pregnancy, or how they are feeling about it possibly happening again?

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I never got officially diagnosed (or medicated therefore) but I’m fairly sure I had PPD and probably some PPA too. I’ve made sure to tell my midwife this time so she’s put me on extra postpartum checks that will continue a bit longer than normal. Worth flagging that now so they can make sure you get visits or appointments to check in.

For me though, it didn’t really kick in until 5-6 months postpartum so I thought I must just be tired as that’s too far afterwards? They did say 6 months is a really common time for it to become obvious but the only support I was offered was an online group therapy which didn’t feel like it would actually help me/ the times didn’t work with my baby’s schedule so PPA won out 😅

I think postpartum the first time around is so wild you can’t possibly prepare. This time around I know I’m going to be less anxious, more lenient, ask for help, say no when it doesn’t suit me, not worry about development or milestones etc and focus more on keeping myself healthy

in our community

Is it a woman's duty to have sex with their partner no matter how she feels and to even put her babies 2nd just to please him?

Even if she is post-partum, the default parent, doing everything around the house or maybe not feeling up to it... Should her duty be to have sex? Otherwise he has a "right" to go elsewhere for it or a "right" to treat her unfairly if doesn't? Also should the babies/children come last just to fulfill this "duty"?

Parfume

Weird question
I’m 9weeks pp and ever since I gave birth I haven’t used any perfume on my skin/clothes because I’m scared my baby will not like it or will iritate his skin. Any thought?

How is everyone having sex with so little time?

Honestly, having a newborn/baby under 1 is already challenging specially with the nights where the baby is fighting sleep…how is everyone here finding the time to have sex? Also with bigger wake windows and no family support around to watch the baby!!

Newborn not weeing for 12 hours

For the first few days he did so many wees (I’m feeding him colostrum from the breast as day 3 and my milk hasn’t come in yet) I have so much colostrum is just squirts out of me and leaks etc.

Anyway he did loads of wee’s and poos and he is still pooing but no wee for over 12 hours now.

Really worrying now. Midwives say it’s normal but to wee that much and just stop? I’ve even topped him off with formula because I’m worrying he’s not getting enough.

Anyone else been through it?

6 week growth spurt or something else?

My baby is 6 weeks tomorrow and for the last couple of days he has been so fussy. He cries red in the face during wake windows, so hard to settle. Its not gas because he farts and burps like an old man and he is on dentinox. He sleeps at night, but the days are so long. I thought it may be reflux but then I read that week 6 is the worst .. has anyone else experienced the dreaded week 6 growth spurt? Is this what it is like? I'm thinking of going to the GP to discuss reflux? Shall I wait and see it out?

Help. Are men really this lazy??

My boyfriend and I drunk till 4am on Friday night and I woke him at 7.45 on Saturday morning to open his front door to go to work. But he never messaged me till 3.40pm and said he was only wakened. He was really drunk on the Friday night but do guys really sleep this long ? I could never sleep this long no matter what!’