PTSD after PE and Hellp syndrome?

[jrivasdpt@aol.com]

I was wondering if there was any other moms who had suffered from PTSD? My second pregnancy was the most terrifying experience of my whole life. My husband and I have have felt so alone and not having family members who understand how traumatized that we were. Being hospitalized for 2 weeks, and not having baby to come home with. Baby in Nicu for a month. Baby is now 10 months and relatively healthy, however still feeling traumatized. Although long walks with baby have been really helpful for me.

[blythe]

Hi Jana. I'm so sorry to hear you are still struggling emotionally 10 months after your baby was born. I can promise you, though, feeling traumatized is not unusual. I'm sure other current members will be along soon with their stories, but in the meantime you can search the archives for PTSD (use the search in the upper right corner of the page). Here is just one recent discussion:

http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27327&SearchTerms=,ptsd
I also really like this site
http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
because (unless it has changed recently) it's one of the few places I've found on the internet that doesn't insist a VBAC is the only way to recover from a traumatic birth.

Enjoy those long walks with baby!

[sam10]

I am traumatized and have been diagnosed with PTSD. Many of my family and friends cannot fully grasp to what extend PE and the loss of our son has traumatized me and my husband. We started therapy to help us deal with our situation. It is something that is helpful for us.
PE is not just something you'd forget and move on, as some around me have suggested.

Take care and try to find ways to help ease the pain, whatever that might be.

Sending you hugs.

[jmom08]

Mine didn't rise to the level of PTSD, but I definitely had anxiety, especially when DH and I started talking about TTC after DS#1. Seeing a counselor helped me too -- mine specializes in reproductive & mothering issues. In one of her books she recommends walks with baby to help new moms, I think it is great that you are doing that. :) Hugs to you & baby!

[mrss]

I thought DS's birth was a traumatic experience and I was still angry and anxious about it for months afterward. I was really hoping this last birth experience would be better, but it wasn't. I actually had a vaginal birth with DS and ended up with an emergency c-section with DD. I think I'm a little too tired to process it all right now (only a week out), but I've already upped my Zoloft levels for the time being.

[aundapenner]

I think in retrospect, after Henry's birth, I was experiencing more PTSD than PPD - but my PPD was severe.

After Sofia's birth, even though she was full-term, I also experienced PPD. She is 19 months old and I am still on meds. Henry is 4.5 - and I would say it has taken me this long to really begin working through my first pregancy in a healthy way.

Have you spoken with your doctor? At 10 months out, I would look into some type of medical intervention - medicine or therapy.

(((hugs)))

You are not alone. We all walk this together.

[jend01]

I have been diagnosed with PTSD. I suffered with the anxiety and stress for 9 months after my ds was born. I didn't get any medical help until I was taken to the ER from work due to an anxiety attack. (I thought I was having a stroke) Later the same week I had another one and didn't go to the hospital I just went home. That was when I realized that I need to get medical help. I started out with just seeing a therapist and she was great, but she suggested medication right off the bat which I didn't like and I refused for a few months. After a few months of therapy with only minimal progress I took her advice and went to a physiatrist and was prescribed xanax to handle my immediate anxiety needs and zoloft for a longer term. I have been on the zoloft for about a year now and have not had to take the xanax nearly as often as before. I feel much better and I wish that I had gone to the doctors sooner. I found this site shortly after I started seeing my therapist and it has been a great help as well.

[MatthewsLeela]

Oh my Gosh! Your stories absolutely break my heart. I know I'm on here a little late, but a friend of mine endured preeclampsia recently which in turn caused her to deliver early. Even worse is that she too developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; which rendered her almost helpless to her under developed child. It's a shame because there are so many people who truly don't understand what PTSD is all about. It's very serious! A baby needs its mommy and when mommy isn't o.k., this causes problems for baby. =(

Essentially what I'm trying to do (as a friend) is seek out advice and resources. How did or how are you folks currently managing? Are you dealing with it on your own or are you seeking the assistance of highly skilled physicians? Who watched over the little one while people were watching over you?

Thanks in advance, all. You're all such brave souls!

[caryn]

*bump*

I didn't have PTSD so I'm very little help here - but I know a ton of our posters have had it and have useful comments.

[sam10]

I have/had PTSD. It is getting better, but it still kicks my butt once in a while.