Does progesterone therapy after birth help?

[JuliaW]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this site and have had a fascinating morning reading through your stories.

I am expecting my 4th baby soon. I had mild baby blues with my first, PND with my 2nd lasting 18 months and mild baby blues with the 3rd.

I should mention that I had extended family problems when I had my 2nd which in no small way contributed to the PND.

I have recently been made redundant from my job which has upset me hugely. I obvioulsly couldn't get another job in my "bumped up state" and money has become very tight. I'm not currently depressed but can see parallels with when I had my second child. My marriage only just survived the PND and I am sure that a second bout will put enormous strain on our relationship.

My GP has suggested progesterone therapy in the form of injections and pessaries following the birth. Has anyone here been down this path? Did it help? Are there any drawbacks or pitfalls? Any information gratefully recieved

[deborah]

Dear julia B

progesterone therapy has not been totally proven to work. I'm thinking you've been told about the Dalton regime.
The reason its not seen as effective is because other doctors who have tried to replicate this type of treatment have found different results.
In some women its resulted in worse depressive symptoms. Doctors have also tried oestrogen therapy with similar results.
I would insist your GP refers you to a specialist psychiatrist one who deals with women suffering from PNI, PMS etc to follow you up carefully and see if you have true PNI or anything else such as Puerperal shock or puerperal anxiety for example. These are lesser known but viable illness' which GP's sometimes over look as they are not trained in this field.
Its better to have you carefully monitored than risk a full 'breakdown' and marriage problems isn't it?
I'm all for empowering women about this illness so here's a book which is useful: Its by Katherina Dalton
'' Depression After Childbirth'' Oxford University Press ISBN:019-263277-9.

It has this progesterone therapy in it and some suggestions for you to think about.
Good luck Deborah xx