Pregnant again and anxious about PNI

[zoe hicks]

hi all, have two girls 6 and 2 (never know whether to put my info up as most of you know me off 'help me love my baby' anyway! and i am 10 weeks pregnant, i am pretty sure i was depressed throughout my second pregnancy but i dont feel depressed really just really anxious about getting PNI again, i know i will deal with it better if it does happen but i also feel really angry that i have had two lots of it and i dont want anymore (if that remotely makes sense!) do we think certain people are pre disposed to getting it over and over or is it just luck of the draw (not a very apt analogy but could think of a way to put it!).
also saw midwife for first time yestareday and on the forms it asks about previous mental illness , PNI etc so obviously i will be honest but what will they use that for especially as i got no help from docs anyway it was all done through my documentary (docs offered sertraline took it but hated it but have nothing against meds whatsover). just curious to know how that information is used i guess and some positive stories on things being ok after having a breakdown etc (my therapist said i had an emotional breakdown after birth of izzy but i always class it as PNI as i think its same thing really!) and as they failed me first time worried they will if i get it again and obviously not in the situation to have another year of therapy!!! what courses of action are there other than tablets available through the hospital etc hugs zoe xxx

[winegirl]

Hi Zoe

Welcome back hun x I do remember your documentary and thought you were AMAZING x

Lots of ladies on here have had subsequent children after PNI and have NOT suffered again. Some do and find it easier to handle and know what to expect and are equipped to deal with it.

You have done right to start talking to HV about it now and kno wthe signs to look out for.

I really wish you all the best in your pregnancy babes and hope you can relax and enjoy it. x

WG xx

[flobob]

Hello Zoe
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I didn't see your programme as at the time I wasn't up to watching anything that might upset me. but well done for going through that.

I had my second baby in Sept, and had similar worries to you. And do feel still a little unsure of myself. Mostly I'm fine but small things can tip me over into depression and then I have a mental battle for a day or two to get me out of it. I had CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to help me with PNI, and it is that which is helping me now. So as you've had therapy, if you do have depressive thoughts you will also be able to think back about what you were taught and hopefully think your way out of the spiralling thoughts.

I had ante-natal depression with my first and then PNI, so this time I told my MW up front at the first meeting. I thought that way she could keep a check on me without me having to try to broach the subject if I did get ill. I told her if it happened again it would be likely that I would go into denial and not be able to speak to anyone or ask for help. So asked her just to ask me outright because I find it very difficult to avoid a direct question. We agreed she'd ask me at each a-n visit but that she wouldn't harp on about it. She also set me up an appointment to meet my future HV whilst I was pregnant, because again I felt I wouldn't be able to talk to a complete stranger once in the throes of PNI.

So what I'm trying to say, is maybe think about how you are when ill and set up things now to ensure that you can get help if needed. For me, it is that I would deny any problems and not ask for help or talk to anyone.

Very best of luck, I hope you get less anxious.

Flobob x

[cheshire]

Hi Zoe,

Firstly congratsx

It seems to be a minefiled in terms of whether this happens again or not - it only happended after my second, so have no personal experience.

They ought to monitor you - I do know of someone with emotional health problems when pregnant and they did not go on to get PNI, but they were watched closely and had a lot of ownserhip/ control over the birth, breastfeeding/ decision making, itself (as far as you can!)

Maybe also forewarned is helpful as hopefully you will recognise the signs.

Thinking of you
Hopefulx