Depression during pregnancy?

Kathy - posted on 12/22/2011

Hi Rachelle,
I suffered with depression in my first pregnancy and didn't tell anyone and it was awful. i dreaded every moment of my pregnancy, I was sick with nausea and other symptoms and it got me down, but I think chemically something was going on. After I had the baby, the post partum was very bad, that's when I spoke up to my doc. I have been on meds for 3.5yrs and I'm currently 5.5mos pregnant with my second still on meds. Made a big difference. Don't suffer through it, it can be better....and your baby needs a happy mommy. With that being said, I totally understand the "hated being pregnant" part. It's very hard for me and for others...and for some they love it. It's ok...to be counting the days....but I would talk to doc. Good luck

Callie - posted on 07/19/2011

This is my second pregnancy. The first resulted in a mis. and i was not far enough along to really experience much of the pregnancy. This time around i have had no support and i'm in the process of looking for a job. The father has yet to decide if he even wants to be in the childs life. After all this i've been feeling very depressed!I feel as if I have nowhere to turn. Is this normal to feel this depressed?

Jill - posted on 04/24/2010

Wow I think you should change your doctor Rachelle. You can take antidepressents when pregnant and it is best for you to feel good for your baby. You should seek out a profesional psychiatrist that will help you with counseling and prescription. Some women start taking antid. before they deliver to avoid bad PPD. Good luck to you and I really hope you feel better. I hope you have some support at home.

Bethany - posted on 03/27/2010

I don't know about meds while being pregnant. I got my depression after I had the baby and am attempting to breastfeed. I do know that there are meds they consider safe for while you are breastfeeding so definitely ask and do not budge on the matter.

Julie - posted on 03/26/2010

"So still confused, Is it really bad to take meds? I dont know Iv never taken anything. Any new advice?"



NO IT IS OK TO TAKE MEDS!!!! It IS really bad for mom to be severely depressed! Many of the antidepressents are safe to take during pregnancy. (I started about my 4th month).



Additionally, most doctors are TOO LAZY to look into what can be taken while BFing. If that is what you want to do, find a doctor who will get off their @SS and contact a lactation clinic about medications. Most meds say "not safe", but there is research that helps clinicians decide with you what is "safe" for you to take.



I want to go smack your doctor for you! Really, his comments make me so mad on so many different levels (women's concerns being ignored, mental health care being minimized, risks/benefits of meds during pregnancy/lactation), I need to just stop typing.



You deserve help from a competent doctor. Your baby will do better if mom is healthy, mind and body.

Linda - posted on 03/26/2010

I'm so sorry you were treated that way! No one deserves that. This is a wonderful time for you and yet it doesn't feel that way. I know.. I was there not that long ago! It probably isn't the best idea to take meds if you aren't feeling suicidal or like your going to hurt yourself in some other way. There are good meds to take during postpartum. But what you really need right now is a good support group. That should include your OB, your significant other, close family (moms are sometimes good for this) and our closest friends. You can also try looking at other support groups in your community. I live in the state of Washington and they have some wonderful community support centers that offer in home support and office visits. I was very lucky to find them on my own but I did. Your not alone! And this is something that a lot of women experience even if they don't talk about it! Keep your head up. Talk to your baby and just remember, in a few months you will have the best gift of your life. In a few years you'll look at this little bundle and wonder how you ever lived your life without them! In the meantime, your not a bad mother for having these feelings. And asking for help, means your trying to do whats best! It's ok to cry, it's ok to have feelings. It's how we deal with them that matters most! Keep talking about, keep asking for help, reach out to those closest to you and rally them around you!

Rachelle - posted on 03/26/2010

well I went to the Dr. yesterday and basically was told to suck it up, get over it! He did say if I REALLY thought I needed medications he could find something but strongly feels I shouldnt take anything now or if I BF, I really cant believe how cold he was about it, as I sat there crying. So still confused, Is it really bad to take meds? I dont know Iv never taken anything. Any new advice?

Hayley - posted on 03/24/2010

hey rachelle am nearly 32 weeks also n feel the same as you ive been to doc once they dint really help dint really take me serious. could you please let me kno how you got on so i can make another appointment n get the help i need i feel awful throughout the day

Rachelle - posted on 03/23/2010

Thank you Linda, I have an appt on Thur. I feel so stupid though, like I should be able to just get in a better mood but I cant.

Linda - posted on 03/23/2010

I can totally understand. My baby was just born 4 weeks ago. He was my third birth child (4th pregnancy) and the youngest of my 6 children (3 step). Can I tell you this last pregnancy was possibly the worst for me emotionally. I hated being pregnant towards the end and it really got bad when for the first time in my life I developed sciatica and could no longer walk, sit up right, stand or move my right leg without someone else's help. Please Please confide in your doctor!!! You are not the first women to feel this way! If you start seeking help now you can potentially help yourself later on. I have developed Postpartum depression (which I did have after my last two live births). I was also told that if I had it with the last two I would with out a doubt getting it with this one and that it gets worse with each subsequent pregnancy! The best thing I ever did was seek help during my pregnancy, it made it easier to ask for help after words and acknowledge the feelings of desperation, loneliness, sadness, and despair that I have been feeling as PPD and not just "baby blues". Your doc can also help you talk to your hubby if need be. talk to your doc!!! do it now! don't wait, if you don't have an appt this week, call him, and leave a msg! They are familiar with this and will want to help you!!!