what do you think?

[newmom9-15]

Looking for some opinions here...

I'm 7 months postpartum. Depression kicked in for me about 5 days postpartum. My ob prescribed Zoloft, but I felt that I should at least try therapy first (for myself and since I'm bf'ing). I saw a therapist from 5 weeks pp up until about 6 weeks ago. I feel so much better than I did at first. I enjoy my son and I no longer question whether I should be a mom. 6 weeks ago my therapist and I both felt I was pretty much "recovered" - with the exception of a pretty bad relapse back in December I had been feeling really good - all without medication. We discontinued regular visits. Since then, I guess I have had a few short "relapses". A few days here or there where I just felt pretty crappy again. Now, even though I feel so much better than before I guess I don't feel totally "normal" or my pre-baby self. It's not so much that I'm sad about having a baby but having a hard time incorporating "my life" and "my mommy life" if that makes sense. I don't look forward to getting out of bed (although I've never been a morning person - I guess its the everydayness of being woken up before I'm ready). I have a hard time motivating myself to do anything but the bare minimum around the house (something I've never enjoyed but could motivate myself to do a huge afternoon of cleaning prebaby something that I'd never be able to do without interruptions now). I don't have the motivation to eat healthy/exercise much. I have a terrible time making decisions. I'm tired a lot! On top of this, I have this anxiety about whether things would be a ton better had I / if I take medicine. What do you think? Are these signs of a continuing mild depression? Enough to require medicine? Or, is this just the adjustment to motherhood? I probably need to make another appt with my therapist to discuss these things. I would like to hold off on taking meds at least until my son is weaned. However, I don't want things to get worse. Will this likely continue on.

Oh and I know why I'm so worked up about this now. I have an appt w/ my ob (annual appt) this afternoon. It's the first time I've seen her since the 6 week appt and I know this topic will come up. I wanted to be able to tell her I feel great without medication. And I do feel better, but...

Thanks for listening...

[NotTheOnlyOne]

I took Zoloft starting 2 weeks PP. I weaned off around 6 months and then back on again around 8 months. I weaned off when I found out I was pregnant this time....

I was feeling exactly like you are now. Mostly happy, a little not... a little depressed, anxious... I could feel myself slipping backwards again.

I decided its just not worth it when I KNOW Zoloft works for me. I have an almost 2 yr old and I was getting short with him. I do home daycare and I lost motivation to plan activities for them. I called and asked my OB about starting Zoloft again. I have been on it for almost a week now. I am starting to feel better.

I know you want to avoid meds, but for me... it makes a huge difference. It might for you too. I totally feel much more like myself.

[mom0810]

I went the meds route, too, and it really helped me. I tried lots of other things first, and lots of talk therapy, but I really did need the meds. I was on zoloft for a year, including during my most recent pregnancy, and just weaned off of zoloft last month.

If you are finding it hard to make it through your daily life, then by all means try the medication. It can really help you. I have nursed two kids on it, and did not worry about it at all once I saw how great both of my boys are doing. I am still nursing my 5.5 month old baby, and he did not have any effects from my weaning off of it, either.

I say if you think it could help you, then go for it. I myself had a gut feeling I needed it. Do you have that same feeling? Trust your gut and try it. You can always go off it if you don't notice a difference for the better.

[evz75]

Incorporating mommy life and other life... why?

So, I have heard this as a continuing cause of anxiety and depression from a number of friends-- the pressure to continue on as before with the pre-mommy life. And several of my friends have gone on meds and/or seen therapists about dealing with this pressure. Personally, my hormones were too strong to ignore-- I felt like, screw the pressure to clean, to "go out" and "have fun," to be like someone without children, and let me just focus on my baby and my nursing! And once I realized that I had total control to choose who I wanted to be as a mother, and to let go of people who were pressuring me to hold on to behavior that disregarding my mothering, something just lifted. I realized that what I'd termed post-partum depression with my first child was actually post-partum nesting. My advice? Continue the fabulous therapy when you feel "relapses," but also, cut yourself some slack. So much of your energy is going into mothering a tender infant who needs you... who needs you more than your house needs to be cleaned or than your friends need you at book group (or whatever it is that = "normal"). I hope this doesn't sound harsh. But seriously-- it really offended me when people insulted me for acting like my life had changed when I'd had a baby. That caused me a lot of anxiety, to the point where I stopped nursing my first baby at 5 months because of the pressure to go out, to supplement, to not be so "tied down." I never got over the horrible advice then, until my second baby, when I really allowed myself to dig in and enjoy it.

[mom0810]

The reason it is advised to continue with your life as before is to NOT do so contributes to depression. It is best to go out socially, have time for yourself, and do chores that you used to do in order to have a sense of order and normal-ness and ROUTINE. That is very important in combating depression.

Of course your life will never be the same as it was before kids, but it is important not to let the fact that you have a child overcome your life. You need to be your own person, for your sake, and more importantly, for your child's sake.

[newmom9-15]

mom0810, I agree. I know that this terrible winter has contributed to my mood. All of the days I was stuck inside due to snow and ice were terrible. I try to get out everyday even if its just to walk around the block.

Thanks for all of your responses.