Twins, Triplets & More Support Group
Triplets & More","This community connects people seeking information and experiences about multiple births. Different names for multiple birth are used, depending on the actual multiple. Common multiples are two and three, known as twins and triplets respectively. Share your thoughts and find whatever support you need."
So, I'm currently 30 weeks along with boy/girl twins and I've been starting to worry about developing postpartum depression or even worse, postpartum psychosis. I have dealt with depression and an anxiety disorder my whole life and at times both have gotten severe enough to land me in the hospital. I see a psychiatrist regularly and am on several meds to treat both issues, and overall they work quite well to control them. However, during my last pregnancy my doctor suggested I go off my meds so when I miscarried at 8 weeks and had severe hemorrhaging, my depression and anxiety flared up horribly and I began to experience daily panic attacks and felt like I was going crazy, to the point where I begged my husband to hospitalize me. The psychiatrist that I had seen for the past several years had also just retired but luckily I got in to see a new one right away and within a few days of resuming the meds I had been on I began to stabilize and feel "normal" again. Because of my history, my RE, OB and psychiatrist all felt it was necessary for me to remain on meds throughout this pregnancy. I tapered down to a very low dose, but have stayed on both anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. I am seriously hoping that this will help prevent postpartum depression but I know that with a history like mine I am already at increased risk and that carrying multiples also increases my risk. Does anyone have an experience where they have had a history of depression and/or anxiety and had multiples and not gotten PPD? Or for those that have experienced it, how does one cope? My husband is very supportive and is eager to provide me with all the help he can, he will be working from home for several months after the babies are born and is great about cooking, cleaning and such...even offering to hire a cleaning service to come every week if needed to do a deep clean of the house. My mom has also offered as much help as I need, so I definitely have support which I know is super important... I guess I just worry about that not being enough. Anyhow, sorry for the long post, this has just really been on my mind.
-get out of the house alone once daily, even if it is just grocery shopping
-get out and take walks with the babies - the sunshine and exercise helps me a lot
-Depending upon if you are willing and your feeding method, ask your mom to stay over one night a week, so you can get a full night's rest. That helped me a LOT!
-Keep a list going of things that need to be done, and when people offer to help, TAKE IT!
It sounds like you are well-prepared for this, which is great. Good luck with those babies!
I have a history of anxiety, depression and PTSD. After my first child was born I had PPD. I had no support system, no help and I expected way too much from myself. I also was not expecting the hormonal changes.
On the other side of this, I had some medical issues that completely dissapeared!
It is really good that you are aware and will be able to monitor any changes in yourself.
Also wonderful that your husband is a good support for you. SO important!
Like others said, the best thing you can do is not get sleep deprived and never turn down an offer of help.
Make sure you keep checking in with people who support you.
It is entirely possible that you may not experience PPD or psychosis at all! Maybe you will find yourself healthier than before! You just never know what hormones will do.
I had no symptoms at all when my twins were born 3 years later.
It sounds l8ike you have a great support system both wtih your doctor's and your husband. My suggestion is to mentally, right now, start a new mantra of "when the babies are born, my only goal will be to enjoy them and heal". Just say that over and over and over. Then if you have any complications with breastfeeding or a messy house or anything else that starts to stress you out, you will already be in the habit of reminding YOURSELF that your only goal is to ENJOY THE BABIES AND HEAL! I think we mommies put more pressure on ourselves than ANYONE could ever do externally.