Once again, less than 2 years since we first went through this, my DIL is expecting again and, once again, midway through her pregnancy, her hormones have exacerbated her OCD. Once again, she became totally unable to continue her ADL (activities of daily living) or to care for her children. At least, this time she was able to recognize the downward spiral she was on and realized that she needed intensive treatment fast! Just in the nick of time, the people who acted as her benefactors with the last pregnancy offered to help her again this time. My son and his wife don't have the means at all to afford psychiatric care and, although my husband and I are "making it" financially, neither do we have the money for that kind of treatment. It scares me to think where she would be without this help from those people. Last time, the OCD eased up after she had the baby. She only had one episode afterwards and she came over to our house because she knew we would make sure she and her kids were okay. (Sadly, everyone in her family has a form of OCD except for one brother, so they cannot be depended on for help)
This is hellish for all of us, but I know it is particularly bad for my son and especially my DIL. I cannot imagine how horrible it must be for her brain to be running rampant and she is not able to control her thoughts. Her meds have been increased, which, in turn, increases the possibility of problems (the least of which is withdrawal after delivery) after birth. However, her daughter was 100% fine after her delivery almost 2 years ago, so we have to have faith that this little boy will be fine, too.
I just pray that they do something to insure she doesn't have to go through this again. I don't believe it is my place to tell anyone whether or not they should have more children, but I hate the idea of my DIL being tormented yet again like she has been with these last two pregnancies. It is pure hell.
