Depression any one else

Alison - posted on 05/25/2010

It is true that you have a very good chance of PPD when you have past depression. The good news is that you have already had a diagnosis and found an effective treatment. I am sure you will be better prepared to deal with it this time.

I suffer from seasonal depression (I get depressed to a certain degree every winter for about 6 months). You should not let depression keep you from having the family you want. I may see the value in having two kids instead of three, but unless you have deep rooted issues and/or VERY severe depression, just make sure you have the support you need!

BTW, I hear Zoloft has done very well in the breastfeeding studies... not sure about pregnancy.

Monique - posted on 05/25/2010

I did have depresssion when I had my twins. I stayed on medication during my pregnancy & got on post pardum right after their birth. Although I still had mild post pardum, it could have been much worse.

Kemi-Alicia - posted on 05/24/2010

Sorry to hear about what you are going through.

I would advise you see a Nutritionist or Naturopath about this, a hormone imbalance can be the cause.
Also if you are planing to get pregnant again you don't want to be on medication like that, your hormones maybe be thrown further off balance.

There is a natural product called Ageless Xtra that I use that has been known to help with this (without side-effects), I use it for other reasons, but it's only available in Canada and U.S

good luck

Angela - posted on 04/24/2010

I have had depression since I was a little girl. Having kids has made it even worse. I am on Zoloft which seems to work great for me. As long as you stay on the treatment, I don't think you will miss anything with the baby. If you want another child, then do it. Depression can be delt with, but having a baby is something that you won't be able to do forever. Have it while you can and enjoy all the love your family will feel with the new addition.

Adrienne - posted on 04/24/2010

good luck - with support from your doctor/other health staff I am sure you are fine. Sertraline is the drug used in the UK during pregnancy and breastfeeding for people with depression. I did not suffer from depression but have several friends who did - the important things are to have people around you and not expect too much of yourself. The first 6 months of a new life are the hardest thing you will ever do - for me the whole experience was so far removed from the fluffy images in adverts. However, when I tried to say this, my friends (who subsequently got depressed) did not want to hear this - perhaps because they were expecting themselves to have a fantastic warm experience when the reality for lots of us is that getting to know this new life and getting to know your new self as a mother are the most traumatic experiences. I was very grateful to get back to work so that I could have time to my self - I am sure that helped reduce the chances of getting depressed. Be kind to yourself and don't expect to love it. Also second time round, you know how to handle a baby and you know that the sleepless nights will pass. For me, the early months with my second child flew past and before I knew it she was smiling, sitting up, being a complete handful but the worst was past! Good luck - your first child will really appreciate having a sibling (to love and to squabble with!!)

Carrie - posted on 04/21/2010

i suffer from depression since before my son, when he got here, it was worse. it felt like i had no peace, no quiet, no time for fun, or time for me and me alone. my world was swallowed by depression when my son was born. some anti depressants helped a little but i found a nice solitary walk and plenty of coffee helped more than anything also having some like-minded friends who supported me really helped

Jessica - posted on 04/21/2010

Depression i snot being able to control the intensity of various emotions at once. Because of this, our bodies feel tired and we're sad and at times angry. But its not a problem that cant be fixed. If you want to have another baby, then go for it. When I went through depression, I felt like I couldnt enjoy all of the little things in life, especially with my son. And that made me even sadder. If you do have another baby, just remember why, and you should be able to enjoy your son and your pregnancy fully. Theres no reason why you shouldnt. I hope you feel better..

Lyndsay - posted on 04/21/2010

Sorry, can't say that I have. But you don't know for sure that it will happen to you again. If you really want another child then I would say go for it -- you seem to have been able to find the right combination of meds this time around, so you have something to work with if it happens again.