PPD- Some Questions About Future Baby # 2 - Redding,CA

I was depressed after my first daughter for a couple months. When I she was 4 months I skipped my period and ended up pregnant again. I was not depressed any longer for many reasons... The things is after my second one I was so scared I would be depressed but I WASN'T. To my surprise I was happy and loving every minute of being a mom of 2 little girls. What a jerk doc you had and you did the right thing. I can't promise you won't end up with PPD but with my second I didn't! Good Luck----------Ash

Hi R.,

You are not alone!!!!! It depends on each pregnancy and I am not surprised that these symptoms disappeared after breastfeading. You may not experience PPD with your next one. My third child is 9 weeks old and I am prone to this as well. I experienced the anxiety side of it. A month prior to my son's birth I started experiencing these symptoms and immediately sought help recognizing what was happening. If your doctor treats you like that I would seek another one asap. I have a doctor who was very supportive, perscribed some anti depressant meds got me to see a therapist and I found a support group through the hospital. Now I see the doctor every 6 weeks to discuss my progress....Made a world of difference! Try that route.

I can't give you a recommendation for a doctor because you're not in my area, but I can comment on the PPD.

I had bad PPD after the birth of my son, and I HATED breast-feeding. I hated it completely. I was lucky because I had a wonderful doctor, and after talking about it and watching it for a couple of weeks, I did decide to take the Prozac to help me deal with it. I continued breast-feeding, but began pumping more so that my husband could help feed more. Just as a note - my son is and always was a wonderful sleeper - I luckily noticed no side-effects to the Prozac when I went on or when I weaned off. I think this is a personal decision, and if you find a good doctor, you should talk to them about possible side-effects. I talked to my doctor about it (because I was very worried, too), and I made a decision that I would be a better mother on it than off of it. I think I was right, because I could feel when the medication kicked in, and I felt my relationship with my son change then. You may decide to make a different decision - that's okay. But you should be informed instead of relying on internet sites for your information.

As for the second child - I am currently expecting #2, so I have been talking to my doctor about it. I now realize that I was depressed during my pregnancy with Baby #1 too - I have realized it because I AM NOT feeling the same way with this pregnancy. However, my doctor has warned me that my chances of experiencing PPD with this baby are significantly increased by the fact that I had it last time. She has not mentioned the risk that it might be more severe, so I don't know if that's the case. But you need to be aware of that as you plan for the next baby.

I think you have a lot to think about and a lot of options to consider, and in order to do it, you are going to need a good doctor - one you feel confident with and can talk to about your concerns and misgivings. Since you are not yet pregnant, now might be a great time to start making appointments with OBs in the area, interview them and tell them about your past problems, and find out what they have to say. Good luck!

R.,
I think it depends on the pregnancy. I also got PPD after my first child and once I stopped breastfeeding at 6 weeks (due to some health reasons) the symptoms went away and I was a new person. With my second daughter I was hesitant to breast feed, but started and after a few days had the PPD feelings hit me again, like they did with the first pregnancy. I stopped breast feeding and again all the symptoms disappeared. It was hard to not feel guilty at first not to breastfeed my daughter, but I was happier and I know that was important for my kids too. Good luck.

I go to Generations of Women in Redding, Ca and they have been wonderful to me. My Doc is Dr. Rene Williams (a man) he is great and has talked extensivly to me about every issue and concern I have had with this pregnancy

I did not have PPD with either of my boys (I do have a friend who had a horrible time with it after her 1st one was born, but not with her second). I do not think it is too early to want to try for another baby, the closer they are in age is better in the long run(from my personal experience)

Mine was not necessarily worse the second time around, it just showed up sooner. I actually had to go on Wellbutrin while 7 months pregnant because I was already showing signs of heading for PP-Psychosis (hallucinating, etc.) It was easier to manage though, because the second time around I was sooo much more relaxed about everything. Nothing really upset me about the baby and I was more confident and able to tell people what I wanted and needed from them. I even told a lactation consultant she needed to get out of my hospital room! (I wasn't able to nurse the first time because of my ppd coupled with my milk not coming in until day 6 and refusing to let down... so I went into the 2nd one with no expectations, I'd try nursing again and if it didn't work, oh well. The lactation nurse was irritating and pretty much told me I was a bad mother. I told her she was a bad nurse and she better not come near me again. I went on to breastfeed my son for 12 1/2 months!) I did have to stay on the Wellbutrin longer the 2nd time, so we could make sure all the symptoms were gone. I used it the whole time I nursed with no problems for my perfectly healthy son. I also saw a therapist who had a Master's in counseling and specialized in women's issues (cheaper than seeing a counselor with a doctorate). It helped to have someone to cry to, which is pretty much all I did during our 50 minute sessions. :-)