Has anyone else had depression since getting pregnanty? Or experienced that before?

[RosemaryS-F]

   I have noticed that since I have gotten pregnant, I've had feelings of depression. This is strange for me, because I have rarely been depressed. Just a few weeks before conceiving I told a friend that I never get depressed and that I can't imagine having a bad day, so yeah, this is throwing me for a loop. It seems worse on cloudy days. When I can get outside for much of the day, I am much, much better. It was such a long and snowy winter. This week is supposed to be rainy and maybe a little snow, and I'm so worried.

   The main feelings I have is that it's hard to have fun, I dread certain regular activities of my week, such as my twice weekly drives to Cambridge where I deliver food, I feel just blue and kind of empty, can't think of things I like to do...

   Hopefully someone here has some insight about this--is it hormonal? I can hardly think of what else it could be.

  TIA

[theboysmama]

I am guessing that it is hormonal but I would highly recommend you seeing someone about it. Not for meds only (maybe if they think you need something) but to talk and rule out any other issues.

I was depressed when I got pg and had been taking st johns wart but had to discontinue it bcs i became pg.
i am so sorry you are having a hard time, depression can be so challenging.

[DomerJen]

pregnancy hormones can absolutely cause depression - and it's treatable.  just b/c it's "hormones" doesn't mean it's not valid - all chemical depression is just hormones!  call your care provider, they can help. :)

[RosemaryS-F]

ok, thank you.

[saoirse2007]

google thyroid during pg...can cause depression

[Amy May]

I can relate to the Mass weather!  Since you mentioned feeling better when you spend time outdoors, I would also encourage you to take additional Vitamin D (I take 8000 mg, but will take less once the weather gets nicer).  I suffer from seasonal afflicted depression (which can probably also be exacerbated by pregnancy hormones).  I also keep a full-spectrum light on at my desk.  Also, when I'm outside, I try to have the maximum skin exposure (ideally 20 minutes at least of sunshine a day).  It is hard to balance that with concerns about skin cancer & wrinkles, but as much as possible, I try to avoid sunglasses (sunlight should be hitting your retina).  My moisturizer has sunscreen, which is not ideal from the vitamin-D absorption perspective...  And also, even though today is yucky, it is supposed to be sunny on and off this week, and the weather here WILL get nicer!

[RosemaryS-F]

Thank you, Amy May. I know, right? This weather is tough. You talked about the full spectrum lights--I just turned our lights on. I usually don't like them on when there's available light but this is an exception!

Today hasn't been so bad. Fingers crossed.

I don't believe I have thyroid issues, but I'll look it up.

[Vanadee]

I was really feeling this way today! I'm 29 weeks along and I live in the northwest. Its been raining for like 3 days non stop with no sun. I try to get out and have a normal day, but I just feel like you explained exactly. I dont really know what good remedies are except patience for better weather. I guess excersize can help too I just started prenatal yoga, and swimming once a week. Best of luck to you, we'll get through it!