Depression during pregnancy? - updated OP

[lillymonster]

Anyone have this? I think I do. I am not motivated, I still have m/s, but this seems beyond normal pregnancy fatigue. I had PPD last pregnancy, I went on meds at 4 months pp, but I tried to fix it myself before then, after spending a few months denying it.

Why I think it's depression because I know getting out of the house will make me feel better, but I don't want to. I am not tired, I don't feel like eating (partly due to m/s but partly I have no appetite) I don't feel like doing anything. I dry heave and feel sick even on zofran, but I know others have it much worse. I am capable of doing stuff, and if I have plans or something to look forward to, I do feel better, but I can't motivate myself to do anything. I wanted to add that I do volunteer work, online, and I really enjoyed doing it before being pregnant. This time, I have had a job for 2 weeks and haven't even started it. That isn't like me.

I am just not sure. I don't want go on meds already - already taking zofran, probiotics and enzymes for morning sickness, prenatals and magnesium (for zofran constipation) I also am having horrible IBS attacks which have brought on some bad hemorrhoids already, so now I am using prescription cream for that.I am afraid adding more drugs would do some harm.

I am not trying to whine or anything...I just don't know what to do? I don't know what is normal pregnancy misery. I don't want to take drugs, but I am not leaving the house for anything unless I have to.

I am 13 weeks on Monday. I don't know...I guess I am reaching out to ask if anyone else has been through while pregnant. Aren't you supposed to be all happy and glowy? Has anyone taken antidepressants while pregnant?

Update: I bought some dha pills - not sure if that is the exact thing that is supposed to help, but it said helps regulate mood, and it was from Nordic Natural, so I'll let everyone know how it goes. No fish burps yet (strawberry, so it wasn't so bad - I swear I feel like a walking medicine cabinet when I am pregnant!) I don't know how fast it works, but I felt a tad better after about an hour. If it's just placebo effect, I am fine with that

[AmyKT]

. I think I know how you feel. I was a bit depressed during my first pregnancy, and I do have a history of depression. I had weaned off antidepressants while TTC, but it took us nearly two years to conceive, and that was a big part of why I was depressed. It took me a while to process what we'd been through, even after we finally reached out goal.

This time I haven't had the bad feelings, even though we suffered a m/c right before this pregnancy. Life circumstances are different, but I also think I've been helped a lot by taking a high dose of fish oil. I don't want to overstate its power, but it has been shown to be therapeutic for people with bipolar and depressive disorders. And it's good for baby, too. You might give that a try before adding any SSRIs.

However, it sounds like you're having one heck of a tough first trimester. I was not happy during my first trimester this time, and I wasn't even all that sick. Maybe things will improve as you move toward the second tri, but if you don't, it may be good to look into some options. I know there are people here who have taken antidepressants while pregnant, but there are also people who are very knowledgeable about dietary fixes for depression. I hope one of them can help.

[isign]

I actually had it with both of mine during the first trimester. With #1 I lost my job with in days of finding out I was pg, and #2 had a whole other set of issues. I don't have a lot to offer except to send you hugs.

[forest~mama]

I was depressed when pg with my dd. It started at about 13 weeks for me- I was severely sick with all day sickness from 4w and thought it would let up by then, but when it didn't, I spiraled down. I didn't have a job at the time so I just stayed in the house and lounged on the couch for months. Hugs to you- I know it's so hard to go through.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by AmyKT

Life circumstances are different, but I also think I've been helped a lot by taking a high dose of fish oil. I don't want to overstate its power, but it has been shown to be therapeutic for people with bipolar and depressive disorders. And it's good for baby, too. You might give that a try before adding any SSRIs.

I would be all for trying this - but does it give fish burps? And is it hard to get down with morning sickness? I had to stop taking the fish pills last time, even late in pregnancy because of the awful fish burps that actually made me sick to my stomach.

[Bethusila]

I posted not too long ago about dealing with anxiety and depression during this pregnancy. This is my first and I have been a bit of a mess off and on. I feel a little better now, but so many people suggested fish oil that I finally ordered some and I plan on taking it every day to see if there's a difference. As far as the fish burps, I got a brand that was recommended to me called Nordic Naturals, and I read a bunch of reviews online about it first and people raved about it. I guess it is coated in lemon or something, which eliminates the fish burps.

[rightkindofme]

Yup. This time around I've been depressed on and off through most of the pregnancy and it sucks. I have done some talk therapy, some EMDR, some Neuro-linguistic Programming work on my anxiety issues, but it really just seems like I'm going to be depressed for a while. Ugh. Definitely eating the placenta this time. I'm thinking smoothie even though it sounds... kinda weird. I encapsulated last time and I was euphoric for a year after my daughter was born.

I have been on fish oil for years so I feel like whereas it might be helping, it's not a miracle cure by any measure. (And you don't get fish burps with the Nordic Naturals. I won't eat any seafood because I hate the taste and these are totally fine.)

It's hard. This is a struggle every day to care properly for my toddler. I have had to let a lot of balls drop and find a way to be ok with that. I'm kind of trying to keep perspective that this will be over soon (probably 6-7 weeks for me because I don't go quite full term) and then I will have an entirely different hormonal state to deal with. I can get through anything with a time limit on it.

[Davids-Coco]

I have to recommend Nordic Naturals as well and have been taking ProOmega +D for years... starting during my pregnancy because of depression at the urging of my acupuncturist. I have never had a single fish burp. I know it is hard, and there are no words sometimes... just hugs.

[justduckyangie]

With this pregnancy...yes. All my other 3, not at all. I have a history of depression. For some reason being pregnant and bfing, I always felt soooo much better. I was actually on Welbutrin before getting pregnant. I was diagnosed with PPD after my MC in 2009. I was very, very against taking meds...finally did at my therapist and DH's urging. I was actually afraid to go off them with this pregnancy. I'm hoping hitting 12w tomorrow I will start to feel better. It doesn't help with all 3 kiddos home for the Summer...although if they weren't I may never leave the house...so maybe it's a good thing. I'm going to check out the Nordic Naturals.

[katemorrow]

my sister's midwife told her to freeze her fishy pills and it takes the "fish burps" away. not sure how it will affect absorption or anything, but worth a try!

[puffingirl]

I had awful depression when I was pg, esp in the 1st tri when I was taking progesterone suppositories (I swear they made me insane). My midwife suggested small amounts of caffeine to help with the depression (one strong black tea in the morning, and sometimes a second cup in the afternoon--I'm not a coffee drinker). It helped a little, but it was still a really hard, long road. The best thing that helped was a friend that had depression in pregnancy and PPD come by and take me out for walks and let me talk and cry.

[Adallae]

I was actually coming online to post the exact same question . I have a history of anxiety, so I know when my body feels 'off'. I'm in the 2nd trimester now, so no morning sickness and the fatigue is lifting - I should feel good. At what point do you call your midwife or OB for help? I'm already allowing myself a cup of black tea in the morning, and I'm taking flaxseed oil (which I thought was similar to fish oil).

lillymonster - I hope you start to feel better soon.

[AmyKT]

Adallae -- I'm sorry you're suffering through this. I just wanted to note that some doctors and midwives are concerned about the use of flaxseed oil in pregnancy and often recommend fish oil instead. I'm not sure about all the reasons, but you might want to do some searches.

[Adallae]

Adallae -- I'm sorry you're suffering through this. I just wanted to note that some doctors and midwives are concerned about the use of flaxseed oil in pregnancy and often recommend fish oil instead. I'm not sure about all the reasons, but you might want to do some searches.

Thank you! The NP said it was ok, but I did find some info that said it can effect estrogen levels if the dosage is high enough. There's no info on what the dosage should be, so I guess I'll switch to fish oil for now.

[pollyanna123]

Yes, this is my 3rd pregnancy and I'm finally starting to figure out that I have pregnancy-induced depression, or at least the blues. I'm not myself.

[lillymonster]

Argh, so I started taking the fish oil and I thought I felt better, but they seem to be upsetting my stomach. Even with taking papaya enzymes. No burps, just making my stomach hurt.

So I think I am going to have to bypass all the supplements and vitamins until morning sickness is gone.

[gradstudentmommy]

Originally Posted by pollyanna123

Yes, this is my 3rd pregnancy and I'm finally starting to figure out that I have pregnancy-induced depression, or at least the blues. I'm not myself.

I feel this way and it's been a miserable pregnancy. It retrospect, I wish I had started taking medication. But I'm 31 weeks and I've made it this far so I figure I'll just muddle along for a few more months.

I wasn't depressed at all in my first pregnancy so this took me by surprise.