Preanatal Depression

[mrsdaddy1385]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum and have been searching for information regarding prenatal depression. I have not read much about it, but can only describe what I feel as post-partum depression...but I am still pregnant. On a whim, I went to prenataldepression.net and read a woman's story and it sounds just like me. Does anyone have any information about this subject? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks!

[beanbean30]

Hugs to you!! I know what you are going through. i am 32 weeks pregnant and my depression reached a peak last week. It is horrible. I am trying to treat it with a better diet, omega oils, and rescue remedy. I think the main thing for me was talking to my midwife and allowing someone into the dark world I was stuck in. I am feeling much better this week but am scared of what postpartum will bring.

Please talk to someone IRL ideally your care provider and hopefully they will give you the support you need. But remember one thing you are not alone.

More hugs

Sabrina

[JuniperMama]

I don't have a lot of answers but wanted to give you a because I had make Ante-Partum (aka Pre-Partum) Anxiety followed by Postpartum Anxiety Disorder. I ended up on Zoloft when DS was 5 months old. It did help. I am nervous about what to do when we go for DC #2 because I don't want to go through that again.

Hang in there. I do think it gets better. Are you a person who would be helped by affirmations? Maybe give yourself encouraging messages to repeat to yourself throughout the day when your thoughts get dark?

[Sheryl1678]

In addition to all the items beanbean mentioned (specifically Omega 3s), make sure to sleep in total darkness and get plenty of bright light during the day. Any light during the night can disrupt your melatonin production which is linked to postpartum & other depressions.

[Mosaic]

I had it as well, so I know how you feel. I didn't get help and just cried a lot to my family, midwives, etc. It got to the point where I was going to give the baby away and leave my husband, even though I was happily married and had a supportive family because I was so depressed. I did end up taking sertraline after the baby came, though I definitely think we should all be more proactive about prenatal depression. I dismissed my feelings as "typical first-time mom anxiety" when I didn't have to live like that.

I hope you get help. Have you talked to your doctor/midwife?

[Gwendolyn's babies]

wow! I didnt' know you could get prenatal depression.

So that's what's been wrong with me. During my first trimester, I don't go anywhere I just feel so sad all the time... I thought you could only get depressed "after" the baby is born.

Thank you for posting.

[peachymomma]

I have it. I started taking zoloft about a month ago and it is helping some.

Talk to someone and get some treatment.

BTW I am 26 weeks preggo and have been suffering since I got pregnant.

[Heavenly_jewel]

mine started a month before i had my son and i thought it was only me that felt that way i am glad to find a board where people have had similar experiences

[rainbow_mandala]

I had depression while I was pregnant...mine was due to fear, for the most part. If you'd like to know more about what helped me heal then send me a private message. Also, I'm an intuitive healer who specializes in emotional issues, so if you're open to exploring the different why's and how's of what you're going through then I'd be more than happy to help. What I do is pretty unique so check out my website for more information: www.moondragonhealing.com. I can do remote healing through e-mail and I don't ask for anything in return...I simply love to help others

[smartalec]

anything like this from the moment of conception to one year after birth is a perinatal mood disorder. you are not alone, and the prognosis is great. you are not going to be stuck with this indefinitely.

i had anxiety and irritability (a form of depression) from the moment my second implanted in my uterus. i can tell you that the most helpful thing for me during my pregnancy was to see an accupuncture doctor. she got me sleeping again and it was like everything got reset, as if i were a windows machine that froze up. i was fortunate to find one that specialized in women's issues.

i also won't lie to you; having the pre-natal d/o did put me at risk for the post-partum stuff and sure enough i had the depression and irritability by month 4. i got help and was proactive with my diet, supplements, sleep, and exercise so i didn't have to be on a med for long or for that big of a dose. i still breastfed fine and the mood was resolved and i was off the med after about 5 months on.

postpartum.net is a great resource. just my 2 cents and you are in my thougths and prayers. it's no fun. hugs.

[jemama]

For me it was bad with both of my pregnancies. I felt very alone and panicky. I can remember thinking that I could just sneak away and have an abortion and people would just think I had a miscarriage, and that's not me, AT ALL. My identical twin has the exact same symptoms that I do during pregnancy. The depression was the biggest factor in DH's and mine decision to not have any more kids. If I could do it all over again I would have found help from somewhere.

[veganf]

I am experiencing it for the first time with my 4th. I'm sure it's just hormones and being overwhelmed and exhausted after months of hyperemesis and morning sickness, etc. But I just want to lay in bed and do nothing for the next 3 months and I have no interest in all the things I used to do that made me happy. I hate being pregnant and I feel guilty about that too.
But from what I've heard, depression during pregnancy is actually pretty common. It's just no one wants to talk about it.

[prothyraia]

I had to deal with this during this pregnancy. I had no problems during my first pregnancy, but midway through the first trimester of this one I got severely depressed (like, curled up in a ball on the floor in the shower sobbing for an hour once a day, fantasizing about suicide). I finally sucked up the motivation and the courage to go to a doctor (well, my midwife) to start prenatal care at the beginning of the second trimester and started some medication. I've been on it for three months (and am currently weaning off it, which seems to be going well) and that enabled me to actually start taking care of myself and my baby (and my older son!).

[Hokulele]

I came online tonight specifically to look this up. I had PPD with my DD and in the last few days I've started to feel *exactly* the same way. I'm about 31 weeks pg. I know next-to-nothing about prenatal depression but I'm sure that's where I'm headed.

Good luck, hugs, and thanks for this post.

[goodheartedmama]

bumping this thread. Are you guys still out there?

[jenchicago]

im here

HI goodheartedmama....I am new, but here. I am looking for some reassurance! I will be starting zoloft tomorrow...I am 10 weeks preg with 2nd...Hate the way I feel...but have to believe I will feel better??!!!!