Pre-partum depression?

[SmtmsAlwys]

Is there such a thing as pre-partum depression?

[WhimsyMama]

hi,

I don't know the technical term for it but I definitely know I had it! I was actually way more depressed when I was pregnant than after. It was hard because other mamas I knew who were pregnant were all happy and excited and I was soooo sad, and I didn't know why. I felt like I shouldn't say anything to anyone about it and it just got worse. A lot of it was my particular situation, but I definitely felt like there was a biological/chemical componant going on for me too. I had a great doctor and was able to get a lot of help and support from him, so that made a huge difference.

So much is going on w/ your hormones when you're pregnant, I think it just affects everyone differently.

Hang in there,

Whimsy

[ecstaticmama24]

Definitley!! Prenatal depression is more common than most people think. In my experience it will transform to PPD so you might want to talk to someone (dr.).

Andrea

[mamabutterfly]

Originally Posted by WhimsyMama

It was hard because other mamas I knew who were pregnant were all happy and excited and I was soooo sad, and I didn't know why. I felt like I shouldn't say anything to anyone about it and it just got worse.

This has been very much my experience. One small piece of it for me is that part of my experience of pregnancy the first time and this one has been turning inward, feeling introspective, etc. And as a result I have often cut myself off a bit from other people. Add to that the physical tiredness, symptoms, etc., that can keep me from certain activities, and it has created a very isolated place for me.

Don't know if that's helpful, but it's my 2 cents.

[sunnylady303]

I never searched out a diagnosis but that is FOR SURE what I had. My first pregnancy was miserable. All I did was lie around on the couch and watch tv. DH says (and I remember the feeling) that I didn't smile for months. It was awful. Everybody was all, "Being pregnant was the best time of my life!" Gag. For me it sucked. And I felt guilty cause it shouldn't have been that way. I never had any problem with post partum stuff (except sleep deprivation which will make anyone crazy!) - I was just so happy the pregnancy was over. After my DD was born we knew we wanted another child but I wasn't sure that I could go through it again and this time with a toddler to take care of! But I decided that I could do it. I would get in touch with my mother earth self, having wonderful life inside me and it would not be that way again. Nope. Same exact way. It sucked; I was so depressed no matter what I tried. But same as before, it was gone the minute I went into labor. I loved giving birth.
I hate that I will never be pregnant again and that my pregnancies were that way. But I have two beautiful girls, two wonderful, empowering birth experiences, and two long and amazing breastfeeding relationships. So I guess I can't complain. But it is out there and I imagine there has to be some help for it. Good luck!

[prothyraia]

There better be, because I have it right now. :

It's not talked about nearly as much as it should be.

[zipworth]

Originally Posted by prothyraia

There better be, because I have it right now. :

It's not talked about nearly as much as it should be.

Me too. I am lazy and gloomy.

[tinahiggins]

It's really funny in a NOT hah, hah sort of way that I found this thread. I'm 36 wks along, depressed, irritable, moody, withdrawn, and having to fight down a tendency to be sharp with everyone, including the toddler. I'm not sure what to do about it. I thought it was just me.
Evidently I am far from alone.

[wondermama]

Yes, definitely. I had good luck with Nordic Naturals Prenatal Omegas. If you're open to it, and it's available where you live, acupuncture can also help in mood-boosting. I found with me, there were also emotional factors involved that were exacerbated by the hormones...so therapy also helped. I've known of women who chose to go on (and were very much helped by) anti-depressants during pregnancy (these were moms who had a history of PPD and felt they were headed that way)...I've never done the meds route (myself) but I sure wouldn't want to go through a pre-natal/post-partum depression again either. Good luck to you, and I'm sorry you're feeling so awful.

[SmtmsAlwys]

It's just so hard. I don't know if part of it may have something to do with the fact that I was really hoping to have another girl, only to find out on the ultrasound that we were having a boy. That really killed me. For multiple reasons. And then I feel guilty for feeling that way.

Right now I'm sick - sinus infection and strep - and I feel guilty because I have a physical reason for getting nothing done around the house, and/or spending adequate time with my daughter...

I just don't know. It's just all too much right now.

[Nibikwe]

I hear you women!

Oh yes that is my scenario too.. alternating versions of what you all have described.. the fish oil (good quality omegas) really helped me, although I've run out and am just not getting around to getting more : There are ones that don't taste fishy (lemon flavoured) or there's the veg option- flax oil- really good too for clearing the cobwebs of the mind, in my opinion.. and I keep realizing that it's my racing thoughts and negative thinking patterns that get me down- emotionally, physically, it's all related. Not that I'm blaming the person going through it. It just helps me to understand the way my mind runs away with things, especially easy to do when I'm tired and run-down and hormones are all over the map.
Thanks for this thread! Very timely.

Erin
xo

[dannic]

I definately had it. And it morphed into ppd. I did better for awhile tho, when I addressed my adrenals and thyroid in supps. I also had rescue remedy and a b vit spray that helped me relax in extra tense moments...
Save your placenta! You just may want it. I'm to that point.

[lemonsforjamie]

If you ask me, absolutely yes, and it will not get any better after the birth. Get a handle on it now. I also get really depressed with pregnancies and I dont know if you are opposed to them but antidepressants have helped me A LOT. I am 19 weeks pregnant and have been on celexa for 2 weeks now and I can feel a world of difference. I was feeling suicidal some days, couldnt crawl out of bed and extremely agitated. I think some women's bodies just don't tolerate hormonal changes very well. I also took celexa with 2nd pregnancy and it helped tremendously.

Edited to add.. I have also just gotten over being sick with cold/sinus infection that lasted for 5 weeks! I layed in bed and was miserable the whole month of January. Please talk to someone, let us know how it goes. sending lotsa hugs
xo

[Blancanieves]

And please check your thyroid!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=813098

[pdxmomazon]

Originally Posted by dannic

I definately had it. And it morphed into ppd. I did better for awhile tho, when I addressed my adrenals and thyroid in supps. I also had rescue remedy and a b vit spray that helped me relax in extra tense moments...
Save your placenta! You just may want it. I'm to that point.

I have prenatal depression BIG TIME! I also have cyclical "not pregnant" depression, so I was able to recognize it very easily. I am going back to my homeopath, which helped my wife when she was pregnant and depressed (we suspect our sperm donor's personality is very different than ours and contributes to the depression!) I've been on fish oil since before I got pregnant. I've already contacted a MW who does placental encapsulation because there is no doubt in my mind I'll end up with PPD.

The worst part is feeling like a "failure" for not loving being pregnant. I've been waiting to get pregnant since I was 11 and thought I'd be a blissed out barefoot pregnant lady. Wanting to get hit by a bus (in front of a hospital so they could save the baby, but not me) is far from blissed out.

Hugs to all the depressed pregnant ladies. I know how it feels.

[J's Mombee]

Originally Posted by pdxmomazon

I am going back to my homeopath, which helped my wife when she was pregnant and depressed (we suspect our sperm donor's personality is very different than ours and contributes to the depression!)

Can this actually affect depression levels? If so, I don't think that DH and I are going to have children again, ever, because he is soooooo different than me, and I had serious PPD and some minor pre-partum depression compared to the post partum stuff.

[Septagram]

I had it too.

[Redlion]

I'm SO happy you posted

I DEFINITELY had this the last two months of my pregnancy...how was I going to be a mom? How could I be so mean to inflict my silly self onto this innocent creature? How was I going to balance life? On and on and on I had such morose feelings that I'd sleep all weekend just to try and escape my sadness. I asked my DH if there was such a thing as 'pre-partum' depression---and he looked it up on the internet for me and said it wasn't easy to find, but he DID find medical confirmation for this. It's not as known as post-partum unfortunately.

Not to be holier than thou or anything, I didn't experience much post-partum if any...I haven't been gushing like a lunatic or anything, haha--but I did return to what felt 'normal' in my heart and those around me say they notice I was better once my lil man was here...so hopefully, it will be the same for you

[mytwogirls]

I had it with my last child because I knew in my heart of hearts it would be the very last time I would carry and deliver a baby. I was soooo depressed to be induced and deliver because it was the last time. I loved being preggers so much. I love my babies don't get me wrong, but it sucked for me the last trimester. I just wanted to be pregnant ONE MORE DAY, but my OB said due to the size of the baby I had to be delivered So yea, it does exist. Wish you the best, hang in there.

[pdxmomazon]

Originally Posted by LJ's Momma

Can this actually affect depression levels? If so, I don't think that DH and I are going to have children again, ever, because he is soooooo different than me, and I had serious PPD and some minor pre-partum depression compared to the post partum stuff.

I have no idea. Homeopathy is some strange stuff. Our homeopath, bless her heart, is an odd duck. They just think differently than most of us do. However, our sperm bank does a personality profile with an LCSW and the donor, having been born and raised in South America, rated very dominant. When we thought about it more we realized he has some personality traits (that the social worker attributed to being raised in a different culture) that makes us doubt we'd get along with him if we met him! Our homeopath explained that with homeopathy in pregnancy, you are treating the child and the mother. I find that with homeopathy I am usually skeptical (it's counter intuitive to me) and then amazed because it works.