Fear of PPD with next child?

[Jolaine83]

My DS is almost a year and we've been talking about starting TTC starting in the summer.  With DS, I had what I thought was baby blues but when he turned 6 months and I still felt bad, I finally went to the Dr.  I was diagnosed with PPD/A and was put on meds.  I just recently weaned off of them and I'm finding that while I have my stressful moments (which I think the meds helped surpress a little) that I'm doing fine without them.

With us TTC in the upcoming months, I do have this constant concern of handling a two year old, a newborn and possibly dealing with PPD/A again.  Moms with more than one child, did you get PPD with both pregnancies?  How did you handle it? 

I'm determined to work my way through it no matter what, and not let it control my life or decisions, but I do have a fear of everything falling apart because of the PPD. 

TIA.  I'm so glad I found this message board!

[bignerpie]

I'm in the same situation. I had bad PPD with my first, and just found out that I'm pregnant with #2. I didn't even want to have another baby because I was afraid of it happening again, but here I am.

I had wanted to encapsulate my placenta, but my first was a c-section, and they refused to release it to me. This time I'm planning on a homebirth, so I will be able to encapsulate my placenta. I don't know if you're aware of the benefits of ingesting your placenta to avoid PPD, but in case you're not, if you search for placenta encapsulation or placenta benefits, you'll get lots of info on the subject.

[orangekoolaid]

i just got a great book you might want to read "What am I thinking"  I found it very comforting and supporting.  it's about your thoughts of having another child. 

[FlipMom23]

I had what I would call a bad case of baby blues for about  8 weeks after the birth of my first child.  After my second, I had terrible anxiety and absolutely PPD for about 6 months.  I was miserable, scared, sad, hopeless, didn't enjoy anything at all (including my baby)... It was awful.  I was so scared when I was pregnant with my third, as that PPD was one of the worst things I've gone through in my whole life.  But I'm happy to report that I had no trace of PPD with her, and not even a bit of anxiety or baby blues even.  So there is hope!

I'm pregnant now with my fourth, and I'm reeeeally hoping I get to enjoy my baby and experience this time, as I did with my third.  I will say one thing that I think helped a ton... I forced myself to nap every single day with the baby for about 3 weeks after I had her.  Being sleep deprived not only hinders your body from physically healing, but it also really, really affects your mood, emotions, hormones.  So take naps!  Just as you must find time to eat, you must find time to nap. 

[McGucks]

Hi.  I had what I think of as mild PPD with DS1, but went back to work at 6 weeks and I think that kind of hauled me out of it.  ExDH stayed home with him.  Fast forward over a decade...I am a healthier person in many, many aspects (both physically and emotionally), became a SAHM to a wonderful, healthy child...and got slammed with massive PPD and anxiety.  I don't really know when it "let up," but he is 14 months now and I am mostly okay.  My anxiety is mostly centered around situations where I am gone from home for longer than a couple of hours and when I have to hang out with ILs.  My main strategies to alleviate the PPD & PPA were going to LLL, a Mom's Group, and getting out of the house most days, even if it's just for a walk (I also walk most days anyway)...I also am very lucky to have a super supportive DH who respects and supports my EBF.  Though I did not use meds for this PPD/PPA, I know moms who felt that meds were critical for them.  I think you are awesome for being brave enough to have another child, and wise enough to keep an eye on yourself.  You know what to look for, which is an important part of addressing PPD/A.  I hope you have some friends and/or family/a partner to help you with housework and help you get naps.  Good luck to you and your family on your journey.

[Perplexity]

Congrats on the new addition.

Like you I hoped the PPD would not be there the second time around. But it was practically unbearable. In some of the recent reading I have done on the matter it just has to do with the personality type. Those who have had problems with depression, anxiety or OCD tend to have a harder time with PPD. You should discuss your concerns with your physician and see what they recommend. Maybe see if you can find a support group. Talk to close friends or family members.

If I could go back I think I would have considered medical treatments to ease the symptoms and allow myself to enjoy my babies more while they were still small.

[sunbeem00]

I am having the same thoughts. After my horrible delivery and severe PPD, I don't think I want another child. I don't want to risk it again. It wouldn't be fair to anyone in my family. I wish I felt like I was capable of having another one.