Post Partum Depression the 2Nd Time Around...

I had PPD with my 2nd. I actually had depression throughout my pregnancy and didn't realize it. I had a third baby last year and did not get PPD at all. Just the opposite I was the happiest mama once the initail hormone changes settled down. Try not to worry yourself and enjoy the new life inside you without worring about what might be when you deliver the baby. Also focus on these last months alone with your son not on the fact that you might get depression again.

I might have had mild post-partum depression after my first, but it was 1982 and those things weren't taken as seriously then. It lasted for about six weeks and then I was fine. I never had it with any of my other five, so it is possible to have it with one and not the next. I agree with the advice to simply enjoy this time with your son.

The best thing you can do for PPD is to have your placenta encapsulated and take the pills. This will help your hormones return to normal levels, it will also replinish the vitamins and minerals that you are deficient in and it will give you tons of energy. I know it sounds weird but it really does help. You can read more about it here and also find a specialist in your area that can encapsulate it for you. http://placentabenefits.info/

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck and congratulations.

Hi i dont usually have PPD, but am 36 weeks pregnant and depressed now. My doctor gave me antidepresents, but after looking up the sideeffects to the baby i decided not to take them. However at my last doctors appointment my doctor told me i need to start taking them because they take a while to kick in and she's worried about PPD.

I had PPD after having my first child and took antidepressants from about the time she was 3 months old (it took me awhile to realize there was something more going on, in fact in hindsight, I am pretty sure I had PPD while during my first pregnancy). Then with my second I began experiencing PPD again during my pregnancy, but I was a little hesitant to go on medications while pregnant and it wasn't too severe, however, if I felt that I needed the medication, I would not hesitate taking it during pregnancy because I know the severe effects of PPD can far outweigh the risks of medications. But I did go on antidepressants 6 weeks post delivery, once I realized that it wasn't baby blues and was PPD. Like the previous post, only you know what is right for you and the baby and with you having the knowledge of PPD and the awareness of it, I think makes all the difference when making such a decision. Best wishes for a healthy you and family.

Congratulations on your 2nd baby!!

I went through PPD after each of my 4 children was born.
It took me several weeks after the birth of my 1st to accept that what I was going through was more than just baby blues, and that I needed medication. Like you, I didn't want to go through that again, but wanted to avoid taking meds while pregnant, if at all possible. I talked to my OB, and we decided I would start medication a couple of hours after the baby was born.

I had a much better experience emotionally after each of my other babies was born, but I did still experience some depression on and off for a couple of weeks until the medication had some time to build up in my system, I guess.

The circumstances of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th births contributed to the blues though, I think. The last three all had to be delivered via c-section, so in addition to recovering from childbirth, I was recovering from surgery as well. I'm not good post-op even when I DON'T have a newborn- I guess I'm a pretty big baby myself ;)

When my 3rd son was born, we were in the process of getting a brand new modular- which STILL wasn't ready when he was born (bad weather prevented the gas line from being installed- we kept getting snow and freezing temps- even though it was the middle of March). So, my DH and I moved with our 5 yr. old, 20 month old, and newborn 2 hours away from our new home to live w/ my parents and my brother- for 6 weeks :/

It was really nice having my Mom there to help w/ the kids, but my 20 month old got really close to her in the time I was in the hospital. When I came home from the hospital, he didn't want me- just my mom- constantly. I was completely crushed!! In my hormonal mind, I felt I'd lost him.

When my 4th was born, it was the middle of the winter (Feb. 19th), and I have a really hard time with the winter EVERY year starting early Jan. (which is when I start pressuring my DH to move south- he'll wear down eventually....I hope) So feeling trapped indoors really didn't do anything to lift my spirits.
Plus, I had to be readmitted to the hospital w/ an infection the day after I came home from the hospital. When I came home from the hospital the 2nd time, a really bad stomach bug started going through the house. I took care of the newborn while my DH took care of the rest of the kids. Each time 1 would recover, the next child would get it, so my husband spent around 4 days feeding the well kids, while cleaning up after the sick one. He did the laundry, the dishes- pretty much everything. Luckily, he's a nurse and is a very good multi-tasker :)

I don't know how bad your PPD was after your 1st baby- or what sorts of challenges you'll face after this one is born. Your 1st will be 5- so that's good. You won't be dealing w/ potty training or temper tantrums in addition to taking care of your newborn. But really you have to decide what you can handle. You're the only one who knows if you can wait until after the baby is born, or if you need to start sooner.

Very best wishes !!!! :o)

I had horrible PPD after the birth of my first son. I finally admitted after about 4 weeks to say something. I started medication and it was the best thing I could have done for myself and my son. When I became pregnant with my 2nd son two years later, I asked my doctor about the possibility of having PPD again. He told me that there was a possibility that I would not develop it this time around but it would be a "wait and see" situation. Well about 2 weeks before I was due, I started feeling depressed and anxious. I asked my dr. if I could start the antidepressants as soon as the baby was born (didn't really want to take them while pregnant.) He agreed and I started them 6 hours after giving birth. Again, I am happy with that decision bc I know in my heart that I would have suffered from PPD again.
Good luck with whatever decision you make!