My baby, psychosis and me.

This programme follows the treatment of two mothers, Hannah and Jenny, at Winchester Hospital Mother & Baby Unit, who suffer from the rare condition Postpartum Psychosis. Lead Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Alain Gregoire describes Hannah’s condition. Hannah’s family members recount witnessing her first manic episode. Gregoire discusses the importance of keeping mother and baby together once diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis. A charge nurse exhibits the medications Hannah is on, including Olanzapine, Haloperidol, and Lorazepam. Gregoire next describes Jenny’s condition. Her husband describes her personality in relation to her illness, her first manic episode, and the relationship between her Postpartum Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder, with which she is also diagnosed. Hannah and her husband discuss Gregoire’s decision to lift her section, so that Hannah can stay at home for the night. Gregoire discusses the risks attached to this decision. Jenny describes the side-effects of Haloperidol. Gregoire lifts Jenny’s section for one night as well. The progress of this home visit is followed, and Gregoire, Jenny, and her husband discuss her sleeping patterns. Next, Gregoire and Hannah have a conversation about her home visits, following some alarming changes in Hannah’s mood. Hannah’s mother recounts how it felt to hear her daughter talk about thoughts of ending her life. The staff at the Mother & Baby Unit hold a meeting to discuss Jenny’s increasingly alarming behaviour. Gregoire assesses Jenny’s mood in a one-to-one to see if her condition has worsened. The staff at the Unit next discuss Hannah’s worsening condition. Gregoire discusses how Hannah’s condition affects how - and whether - she cares for her baby. Gregoire explains his decision to send Hannah for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), following a dangerous suicide attempt, whilst her mother explains that she was against the decision. The set up and the electroconvulsive therapy itself are shown. Jenny’s husband describes a recent visit to his wife, during which she was having a psychotic episode. The Unit staff discuss how Jenny has been avoiding taking her medicine. As a result, she is transferred to a high security psychiatric intensive care unit. Her husband talks about the effects this move has made on him and his family. Hannah describes the thoughts behind her suicide attempt, and discusses the potential for getting better in the future. Jenny is shown back on the Unit after 4 months of acute psychiatric treatment away from her husband and children. Jenny is shown working with a specialist to rebuild her bond with her daughter following this separation. Hannah is then shown back at home, after completing her ECT treatment and being fully discharged by Gregoire.