Just been diagnosed....

I don't have any experience but I didn't want to read and run. First I think your need lots of these:


Secondly (and this is harsh) but your DH needs to get over himself. This is not about him, it is about you, You need his help, love and support. I am guessing that he is not the one who is at home with baby all day every day. From the outside it looks like it is easy, we all know that it is not.

Can you talk to your doctor again about your fears and get some more info???

and you are a great Mum

Your DH needs to shut up and not be so selfish. Tell him to go talk to the doc himself and have it explained to him by the medical professional the reasoning behind the medication.

I probably had PND post Jared but never got help. Which was just stupid really. Medication is just there to help you get back to your old self. Its not a life long sentence.

Take the meds, I should have I would have felt better sooner. I will take them if it gets bad again. The "mothers matter" website has some good info on meds about what's safe etc.

I got counselling thru Plunket, which was free and great. Some DHB's run courses for PND suffers - ask your plunket nurse to refer you to maternal mental health.

Your husband needs to understand that the whole family gets PND, it will affect all of you.

Some tips...
-accept that you can learn from the past, but can't go back and can't change it. The past has happened and its OK.
-accept that the future will happen, but that you can't deal with it now. You will deal with when it arrives.
-know that you can deal with anything in the present moment, if your baby cries hold them, know that they are safe and loved.
-get help where you can - I got a cleaner - one less thing to worry about.
-tell people you are struggling, don't bottle it up - people are amazing generous and will help where they can.
-remember that heaps of people lie about how well their kids are doing.
-relish the good moments, it helps remmeber how much I love my daughter.
-go somewhere where you can be supported- a few days that my parents makes a huge difference.

Big hugs, this is way more common that you'd think. And you are going a great job.

thats what i was like..:( it was a mixture of hormones as well though i think..for two weeks i felt mroe anxious but after that i steadily felt so much better.. hugs..it does get better..i did a full tablet but lots of people start on a quarter..

i think for me I was also so worked up about going on it that I got more anxious as well cause of worrying about it if that makes sense..

for you!

Hey, is it possible that the anxiety you woke with after taking it the first time is not a side effect, but because you are so worried about things? It sounds like you are stressing a LOT about this and often when you are stressing things like that come out in your sleep- so you might have been going over and over and over it is your dreams and that's why you woke feeling so anxious. Just an idea anyway

It's quite common to be very nervous about starting any medication so don't beat yourself up over it, yea? Like others have said, trust your GP. Sounds like s/he has experience in prescribing meds. Is your husband interested in learning more about PND, it's signs, treatments etc? If so there is a website that I often give out to partners and family of mums with PND (I hope I'm allowed to post it on here-) www.mothersmatter.co.nz   Sounds like he needs to understand more about it so her can help you

Speaking from someone who has tried on 5 different ADs, the side effects are worst when you first take them and usually they DO pass. What medication have you started on? SSRIs (such as fluoxetine, citalopram) have been known to increase anxiety and insomnia so if it's really not working for you there are plenty others out there to try.

Hang in there, things WILL get better. Those early days are very, very scary but keep at it and soon I'm sure you'll get sorted on the right meds and be on the way up

anxiety is irrational it hits you any time any where for no reason. I feel your pain I have had anxiety for a long time. Im on meds for it but even though i increased the dose am still going through a rough patch. I get mad with the fact it really effects my life and i have no control.Just hang in there with the meds and keep in touch with your dr .I have had a time when the meds really dulled my anxiety it was brillant

are you under maternal mental health?They might offer some support.

hope things are going ok with husband. Took mine some time to adjust to it especially the need for medication.