Prenatal Depression/PPD????

[Caroline248]

I am currently 22 weeks pregant with my fourth child. I have always had major PPD, and figured I would start Zoloft at the end of this pregnancy. Unfortunatly, it seems like the depression is hitting already. Does anyone know if this is normal? I don't think I had it like this with the others, but it really feels like PPD. Can I take Zoloft now and try to feel better, or is this an indication that my PPD will be worse with this one?? If anyone has any help or advice, I would really appreciate it...

Thanks so much,
Caroline

[layla]

I had some depression during my last pg, which was my fourth. I've always been happy during pg, so was worried. Rightly so, I've got the worst ppd ever! It seems to be pretty normal to have some depression in pg. As far as the meds go, I don't know, maybe someone else could help there, or your MD. I'm phobic of meds so couldn't give an objective answer. Good luck to you, though, and don't be afraid to get help asap!

[magemom]

My son's doc wanted me to see someone before and then especially when I was pregnant. I seemed to get worse while pregnant this time. I had real bad PPD the 2nd time, MIL says I had it with the first one. I have nothing to back up what I was told about it was ok to take Zoloft while pregnant, but my son's doc did give me something from a seminar that she just missed on it being safe. It basically said plan on every female patient getting pregnant during treatment so you had better know what is safe and safer.
I guess I was pretty depressed with #2 as well while pregnant.
I have done nothing this time either....

[BoxOfRainMama]

this new format is going to take some getting used to.... hope I’m doing this right.

My depression has started during pregnancy with my last 2 pregnancies. my understanding is that it is normal, just as normal as having it start post partum. I found a support group when I was pregnant with my son 3 years ago for "PPD and pregnancy mood disorders." It was very helpful. {{{{{you}}}}} I’m sorry you’re struggling with this. I can really relate.
I’m 24 weeks with #3 and its such a challenge. I’m seeing a therapist every week this time around and started as soon as I found out I was pregnant and it has been very helpful…

[Foobar]

I developed APD (ante partum depression) when I got pregnant. We diagnosed it at 7 weeks and at 13 weeks, I called in for a prescription. I was getting dangerous to myself and my children.

20% of women have this condition. Most go untreated unless they have previously been treated for PPD. Many first time pregnancies go undiagnosed with this because the mother doesn't want to acknowledge that she isn't thrilled and glowing like the books say.

Women who had/have PPD are more likely to have APD.

My specialist did tell me that the most current research is showing that pregnancies with the mother taking an SSRI are turning out healthier babies than women who are depressed and are not treating the depression (this does NOT mean medically. It means any sort of treatment) I have not researched this on my own, but I did check out that lexapro is considered ok in pregnancy.
I waited until the second trimester to go on it.

Now that I've been on it, I can see how bad I had gotten. I needed the help and I am very happy with this med as it allows me to be me. I can cry when I have to, I can laugh when I want to.


I am being re-evaluated around 34 weeks to check dosage as my blood volume has increased.

If I had NOT gone on medication during the pregnancy, my doctors were discussing starting it in the 8th month to help my seratonin level out BEFORE the post partum crash.

So, to make a really long story short: this is normal, you are not weird and your medicine should be safe during pregnancy, but research it and discuss with your doctors yourself....

[Aura_Kitten]

s i know how you're feeling.

i've never used antidepressants for my depression, even when it was at it's worst -- choosing instead to find support groups and deal with the underlying problems. i figured i'd have to work through PPD again with this new sprite, because i suffered w/ it after my #1... however, i'm already dealing with depression, so have been making a conscious effort at going outside, forcing myself to get up in the morning, gardening, cooking, and keeping active. i've also been looking at mama's groups and have begun setting up playdates to take my son out more often, so that i *have* to get out of the home w/ him, get some sunshine, and stay "in the world," so to speak.

i don't know if any of that helps you... but i'm finding that stuff really helps me.

[isleta]

I had depression and anxiety starting in my second month. It was really bad and I did go on meds. I think that many women who go through this feel like they are the only ones, well I did. But, I have a good friend who also had the same experience and severe PPD. Her second preg. she started meds and her PPD was significantly less.

s to you!!

[lilyka]

I am glad you brought this up because more people should be talking about it. I never relized how bad I was because I htought everyone felt the same. After I had my second (and knew more people who had been pregnant) I began to relize the intense fear, anxiety out of controlness, and paranoia I was feeling was not normal. I was actually going in to demand an induction at my last prenatal visit because I could not go on another day. It didn't matter that she would be a little early but I could not function untillthis baby was somewhere where I could see her and check on her and such. I was in a state of panic all the time. And of course if anyone asked I was happy cheery and just hunky dorey and excited to be pregnant : I just didn't know this was abnormal.. (by the way I ended up giving birth about 10 minutes intot he last prenatal so it was a non issue, i would have liked to know what she would have said) Sometime toward the end of the pregnancy I was reading a british magazine (they are far better than american magazines IMHO) the had a huge article on APD and said in some studies it was far more common than PPD. go figure. If I should happen to get pregnant again I will be medicated as soon as I find out. It has gotton worse with each pregnancy and I can't imagine how bad it would be the next time. This did play a major role in our descsion not to have anymore. I am not comfortable medicating really but wouldn't hesotate to if I did end up pregnant.

Good luck finding a solution that works for you.

[magemom]

I can't seem to get over how overwhelmed I feel. I snap at the kids all the time, my house looks like sticky bomb went off. I tell DH I need help and like everything else he seems to blow off whatever I say as hormones. If he tells me one more freakin time I am super mom I will kill him. Which would be a bad move as I haven't finished setting up the life insurance. My office torn apart while the carpets are being treated for cat urine smell. My grandmother has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and they can't operate. DH doesn't think he can finish up if I leave to go visit. I am pregnant so it isn't like I have a huge window of available travel. He said wait till June and we can all go see her. I want to see her first with out my kids. DD is saying she can't go to DH graduation because she has a track meet. DS is not doing school work or homework <Again> and the poor little ones are upset taht mommy is crying all the time.
I called my doc to ask if she had a problem with me taking something while pregnant but I didn't hear back. I meant to call today and ask why I didn't hear back yesterday and work never slowed down. Tomorrow I will call and schedule an appt.
It never stops.

[isleta]

magemom! and ACK! Lots going on!

I understand. I hope that life gets easier for you and that you and your Dr. can find something to aleviate your symptoms. I am not pregnant right now, but felt the same way. However, I am a single mama so i did not have other family members to think about. My Ds has seen me cry and I think that it's OK.

The fact that you feel out of control and are doing something about it is wonderful. Good luck and I do hope you can see your grandma soon.

lilyka-ITA this should be talked about more and discussed. I had a few AP moms give me a hard time becuase i decided to use meds. I think if more people knew about this maybe there would be more support. I think that each one of us is different and meds are not the solution for everyone, but it is an option that worked or me and my ds.

[isleta]

How are you doing Caroline???