Post Natal Phychosis

Thank you @hope77 I would like to give my son a sibling.

I am here to support the voices here.

You have my heart, empathy, you are/were not evil. You went through a time where you needed massive support.

I never had an episode post-partum, but as a schizoaffective, I felt very nearly pushed to edge with my first pregnancy, ironically thanks to the horrifying 'support' of an awful obstetrician. Who thankfully I only had to see that once. But that was all it took, the once, for her to seed so much so much doubt, fear, paranoia.

I love my two girls. But I am not sure I would have had two if I had continued to struggle post pregnancy (after bub's birth). Or maybe I would have anyway. I have no idea! It is a tricky question you're needing to answer! I'm not sure hearing others' experiences helps much in respect to knowing how likely your psychosis may affect you, again, and if you're up for it potentially happening again. It's a bit of a lottery, just like no one can tell you you're going to have your first episode, no one can predict a second, at least not through comparing to whether others did or didn't.

I'd be thinking more about what supports do you have in place, to go a second round, if that were to happen?

What are some great supports others here had when navigating this? If anyone had their time again, and had some magic ability to forsee this event, what different things might you have done, put in place for preperation?

Are you currently on meds, and would you have to wean off them for a pregnancy? If so, have you considered trialling no meds first, so as to not throw two variables in at once if you do choose to become pregnant again?

And if ever you have an episode again, 2nd baby or not, you did not choose it. You can't blame yourself. Xxxxxxxx

Thank you for sharing your stories. I was on an anti phycotic once I was released from hospital but I'm off that now. I'm on a low dose antidepressant and my GP recommended staying on it even if pregnant as it's safe and hopefully will help with the soaring emotions that go with pregnancy and childbirth. Would I do it again to get my son? Absolutely! So I'm sure I'd feel this way about a second child even if I did suffer phychosis again. I'd be more prepared for it this time around anyway and would make sure I have a plan in place for if I do get sick. Thanks again everyone 🙂