1St Trimester Blues?

I had similar issues. For me it lasted 16 weeks. The exact amount of time it took for two other moms I know. I think it was mostly due to utter fatigue. That made me feel like I was in over my head and that I was not able to be a good mom and since I could hardly keep up with housework, I was miserable at the end of the day. I remember begging my husband on several occasions to come home early from work because I needed a break so bad- not just from fatigue but because, like you, I felt like I couldn't do one more load of laundry or dishes or answer one more "why?". I thought I would need to go on antidepressants but decided to wait it out until the 16 week mark. Sure enough, I felt much better all around by that point and I'm still doing well in my 7 month. Hang in there, I think you'll be feeling better soon.
You could need to get on an antidepressant. Talk to your OB and don't brush it off if it continues.
BTW, I'm working on #3 right now. The transition to #2 was not nearly as bad as I feared. Newborns sleep a LOT so the first couple weeks are not so bad. My daughter loved all the attention she got as I tried to overcompensate. She also loved all the TV time while I breastfed.
At the same time, I can honestly say that I rarely wear my hair down anymore and rarely shower daily. Also, god help my husband if he is late coming home from work or if he is having a head-up-his-butt, zoning out day. It's damn hard work (mine are now 4 and 2) but I think without the overdose of hormones we get when we're pregnant, it's doable and enjoyable most of the time. The only time I was sick of my life and wanted a serious break was in my first trimester.
Good luck!!!

J.

Although we were trying for that second baby, my second pregnancy was filled with alot of ambivlance. I knew how much work having a baby was, and like you, wondered how on earth I was going to do it all. Well, just like the first time, you just figure it out. As you progress in your pregnancy, your daughter will become more excited and involved at the thought of being a big sister. My advice to you is to take advantage of this one on one time with your daughter as it will become more complicated once a baby arrives. You will be fine! Everyone deserves to have a one woman pity party. Just be aware if it becomes more than that. Lean on friends and family. Enlist their help now and after the baby arrives if possible. Go out with your husband for several dates before the baby arrives. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy....it is a miraculous time!

Hope that helps!

I had a similar response to #3. By my choice I was a SAHM to two beautiful, healthy boys. I had a comfortable home and a loving husband. And I thought I was going to lose my mind!
We all experience different stress tolerance at different times in our lives. I believe feeling overwhelmed led me to explore the benefits of therapy, support groups and other modalities like massage, acupuncture, Rolfing and hypnosis. Pain whether emotional or physical is a great motivator to change. It helped me to discover the right combination of self-care that worked for me and led me to my vocation. It might also help to look at your beliefs, what it means to you to be a good parent. Does it mean constant self-sacrifice? Constant worry & guilt? What kind of example were you raised with & do you feel you measure up? Sometimes the greatest stressor is in our own heads. Notice your self-talk and find a way to adjust it perhaps through affirmations and/or self-hypnosis. Ultimately the 'blues' forced me to make time for myself and even made me a better mom & wife.

Hi J.. You are not alone! Since everyone is different, it's really hard to say when you will "feel fine." My 2nd pregnancy was a surprise and I was still dealing with Postpartum depression from my first child's birth. If I remember correctly, I finally came to terms with the 2nd pregnancy at 4 months. But even after getting through 4 months of crying, I never felt the "excitement" that I felt with my first pregnancy. And that's okay.

You don't say how old your daughter is, but I suspect she is still quite young as well. Give yourself all the time you need...and try not to feel guilt because you are struggling right now. Feeling guilt will not help you. We can only do "the best we can," and once that baby comes, you will find that you are stronger and more resilient than you ever imagined. Yes, it will be difficult during those sleepless first few months, but that will change too over time!

I know this is an old post, but I can relate! I wanted to add this to anyone who may come across your same situation.

What helped me was finding ways to celebrate my first trimester. I just wrote about it on Babycenter.com:
http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/celebrating-my-fi...

I hope everything worked out; you should have a wonderful, healthy toddler by now!