Wanting another one

amberandshauncross

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are about trying to have another baby after a SEVERE case of postpartum depression.  My baby is currently 10 months old and I am getting baby fever again - the only thing holding me back is my EXTREME fear of another case of PPD. 

 Thoughts?

Que*Syrah

I would talk to your doctor and see if they can help come up with a plan for you. I have to say though, that if I had EXTREME PPD and my baby was only 10 months old, I doubt I'd be ready for another yet.

swimiz500

I went through some really bad depression, both during pregnancy and PP. During my pregnancy, I went to see a MFM doctor to manage my meds. Once they got everything managed, I felt worlds better.  I assumed I'd be fine PP, but I was wrong. I was so weepy over DD getting older that I would sob all day long. Eventually, I opened up to my psychiatrist and even though it took some time, he was able to adjust my meds and things have been much better.

Here's my point: I think now that you know you are prone to getting PPD, you can be proactive in dealing with it this time around. It would be a great idea to have a plan in place, have doctors on board, etc. I would definitely talk to your doctor, but I don't think that PPD should somehow disqualify you from having another child if you really want one.    

notkateanymore

I had very severe PPD...as in hospitalization. It took me a very long time to want another one. And wouldn't you know that then I couldn't have one. Of course, my doctor and RE know all about it, so we are all always thinking about it. I actually switched from Clomid to Femara this cycle, bc the Clomid was making me kinda blah. I would talk to your doctor, but in all honesty I would wait until your baby is at least a year before you start trying. One of my ways of dealing with my PPD was concentrating on something new...like getting pregnant again might be for you. Just give yourself some time to finally enjoy being a mom.

I will say that 6.5 years removed from all of it, I don't worry about it as much. My circumstances are VERY different now, I don't see the same things being an issue. But I also know what to look for and know what can happen. GL in your decision. I know there is a PPD board, though I'm not sure how much traffic it gets.

MainelyFoolish

I didn't have PPD, but I have had more than one episode of major depression in my life prior to having kids, so I know some of the agony you experienced and I knew I would be at higher risk for PPD. I stayed on my meds all through pregnancy (I still take them -- I will probably never be off meds for the rest of my life) and my family and doctor knew to watch me closely. Around 5 weeks post-partum I thought I was starting down the PPD path but another week later I was feeling better; it was just typical baby-blues.

My point is, once you know you're prone to PPD, you can take meds, continue counseling (or at least have a counselor on "stand-by"), and you'll know the warning signs to look out for so if you do have PPD again, you'll be ready to treat it quickly. And if you stay on antidepressants during your pregnancy and post-partum period, you might not even develop PPD this time. If you truly want a second child, I wouldn't let fear of PPD stand in your way.

And now for my totally unsolicited advice: when my DD was 10 months old, I remember how I felt like I was on top of this whole mommy thing. We had a good routine, I was sleeping decently at night, DD wasn't yet mobile enough to get into too much trouble. Three months later, DD was walking all over the place and I thought OMG, I'm so glad I'm not having two babies under 2! It works for some families, but it would have left me totally overwhelmed.

kcisthebombdotcom

I don't think that should hold you back. There are medications they can give you immediately after delivery that can help if you know you're at high risk to get it.

I would definitely discuss with a doctor first though.

GL!

jw87

I had PPD and it's why we've waited so long, DS will be almost four.  I will honestly say I was not myself until DS was around a year old.  I would give yourself some more time. 

I've also decided not to breastfeed and go back on the medications that we knew worked the first time around to combat the anxiety/depression.  I feel like I'm really prepared this time around and I hope it's much smoother sailing!  

To be completely honest though I could not imagine doing this any sooner than what we have... 10 months is still so early! 

Happily Overwhelmed

I think letting it change your family dynamic is letting it win.

If you know you want another one and it feels right go for it. Like PP be proactive about it if you sense it. Also have your DH/SO watching for signs too. 

We know we want our children close in age. I would hate a "what if" or something that could be treated hold us back from that.