Think my partner suffering from Puerperal Psychosi

[51mon79]

Hi There,

I am after some advice really and wondered if anyone can help me.

To cut a long story short my partner suffered from puerperal psychosis following the birth of her 1st son is 2002. By all accounts this was a very severe bout of the condition resulting in ECT. Anyway, we have found out that she is pregnant again approximately 13 weeks and I believe that she is showing symptoms of a recurrence.

I am not the father of her 1st born child so was not around to see the stages that she went through until this condition was diagnosed. My concern is that even though the nedical practioners are aware of her history; as yet she has not been referred for any specialist care to ensure that this does not return.

I fear that it is and am at the end of my tether in trying to convince the powers that be that she needs attention. Indeed, I have little faith in GP's at the best of times seeing as they constantly rejected my mother's concerns that her breast cancer was returning as there were no signs. Sure enough unfortunately she passed from breast cancer a few months later. ( I digress sorry)

I just wondered if anyone had experienced this same treatment and indeed how it was overcome if at all. I don't know where else to turn and our relationship is suffering as a result as I do not know what to expect etc and know that my ignorance has probably compounded the problem for my poor partner; so again any research or anything that anyone can point me in would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry if this thread is similar to one that is already being discussed and I hope that some/any advice will be forthcoming.

Thank you in advance

Simon

[joannem]

Hi Simon
What is your partner doing to make you think she is having a recurrence?
She could be depressed or anxious about it happening again after the babys birth?
Puerpal psychosis usually happens shortly after giving birth.

Are you able to attend one of her antenatal appointments with her so you can maybe both speak to a Midwife about your concerns? You dont need to go through the Doctor and if the Midwife thinks it is needed then can refer your partner to an obstetrician and it may benefit your partner to know she has all the available help and support in place for after your little ones arrival.
Hope this helps
Joannem xx

[cheshire]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to the site x

We are here to support you (and your partner if she chooses), but are not experts, just fellow sufferers of various forms of post natal illness.

Don't worry about the digression re. undetected illness - I have had similar experiences and know how it can feel.

I have not suffered PP, but was quite ill at the beginning to be honest. I would say the same applies, in terms of early intervention, to any form of PNI. Keep pushing with your GPs etc. if your partner seems unwell.

In terms of ECT, our patron Elaine Hanzak (www.elainehanzak.co.uk) had this treatment and has recovered.

And please don't worry if your thread is similar to anyone else's - it is your story and everyones is slightly different. But there is power in sharing similar stories too.

Hope you find the support here helpful

Hopefulx

[garydunlop]

my wife is currently receiving treatment for PP

We have been told if she gets pregnant again it is highly likely to return, i would push the GP to help you, it may help to get her on medication as a preventative, esp if she can see the signs starting off

[stevensmummy]

Hi Simon

Welsome to the site, this is a lifeline to many sufferers and their partners so I hope you can find our support useful. I have to congratulate you for taking the initative to step forward and look for advice. PP and PNI are horrible illnesses and many people wpuld rather close their eyes and ignore it. Well done, your partner is very lucky to have you!

I have not suffered PP, only PNI and can not advise you with direct courses of action and symptoms etc. I do know someone who suffered but I think it can be very different from individual to individual.

You say you believe she is showing symptoms again, is she aware of this or is it something you have noticed? Can you talk to her about it?

I can relate to this with regard to recurrance, I have had pni for the second time and feel that some of my early symptoms were from fear of it coming back. Maybe it is just fears, that when taken out in the open will ease and help to stop progression.

I would suggest you push your health service. Keep asking for another doc, keep on at them, keep telling them your concerns. And push them to give you some theraphy. She needs to talk, she needs to voice her fears as do you. Prevention is the best cure.

Good luck, keep us posted

Sarah x

[51mon79]

Thank you for all your responses to the situation I find myself in. I kicked off woth the midwife and said that I thought the standard of care had been abysmal in that a referral was not immediately actioned due to her being a "high risk".

The next day midwife came round personally and a referral was booked straight away. Why do we have to shout, scream and generally act obnoxious to get through to people and have them perform action that should be automatic?

[winegirl]

Hi Simon

I am glad you have got the refferal even though it meant kicking off for it! Please keep us informed with how things go, and we will be here to support you in the meantime x

Winegirl x

[cheshire]

Simon,

How is your wife now?

Been thinking of you both
Hopefulx

[naomi]

Hi Simon

I suffered with PP during my first pregnancy, and haven't yet had another baby but it's great that you've managed to get the health professionals to listen and recognise that your wife will need support during her pregnancy, even just to talk about both of your worries. As PP is so relatively rare, many midwives haven't actually experienced it and so you've done the right thing in alerting them to the risk of a re-occurence in a second pregnancy.

If your wife was under the care of a psychiatrist or CPN (community psychiatric nurse) in her previous episode of PP, her midwife or GP can ask for a re-referral so that these professionals can keep a special eye on her in the early days after birth
(symptoms usually occur within 5-10 days of birth). Some areas of the country have specialist mental health teams who can give you a ring or even visit each day for a few days just to check how things are going, and this can be a good extra support alongside midwife visits particularly if the midwife hasn't seen the early symptoms of PP before.

Medication such as Lithium can also be used to prevent against PP relapsing - but this is something you and your wife would need to discuss, probably ideally with a psychiatrist or a GP with a special interest in postnatal mental health. There have also been some studies on the role of the hormones oestrogen & progesterone in PP and you may be able to talk with your midwife/GP about trying some hormone therapy straight after birth. Unfortunately there's no conclusive research about this as yet.

You're being really wise to prepare and plan ahead - but there are certainly cases of women who have PP in a first pregnancy and go on to have no illness in subesquent pregnancies. Keep talking about everything, and work out a plan of action together for if your wife does become ill & I really hope this will ease some of the natural concerns that you both have.

Really hope you're both doing well & I know you'll have great support on this forum
Naomi