Depression During Pregnancy

Hi There M.,
I have had three children and at some point in all of my pregnancies, I experienced depression. Depression can be one of the most difficult times for sure, and to be pregnant on top of that is even harder. So please do not feel like you are alone, because there are many others that have been through the same issues. There are several ways to help you cope with the depression you are feeling. I found that having a good support system was extreamly important...that can be family or friends or both. Some times going to a therapist or psychiatrist can help as well...someone outside of the situation to talk to and receive positive feedback from. I also found writing in a journal helped a great deal as well. The first thing you should do is just remember you are not alone and you will get through it!!!! Good luck hon. I wish you and your baby well.

Dear M.,

You are going through so much being pregnant. Your hormones are all over the place. Depression is actually quite normal during pregnancy and there are some safe anti depressants you can take during pregancy. It is better to deal with it now so it won't effect the baby when they are born. You don't want to go through post pardom with out any help. Talk to you doctor. I've been through both depression during and post pardom, don't be ashamed to ask for help.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.
I find excersise the best antidepressant there is. It's probably difficult to do 8 months pregnant, but even walking is great excersise. You must talk to your doctor first, and immediatly. And utilize all your support with family, friends, relatives, church groups, etc.
Remember, you have another life to focus on and care for, and if he left, your life will move onward and upward, and it will get better. Just focus on yourself and your baby.
Best wishes.

OH, Honey. I'm so sorry about what you're going through. If I were you, call your Ob/Gyn doctors office and talk to a nurse. Tell them what is going on and ask them if you should make an appt. with them or your Primary Doctor. Then hopefully they'll be able to help you find a therapist or psychiatrist that you can go see for help with your depression. Probably a Therapist would be good for. Have you ever seen one before? I've been in and out of therarpy since I was a teen, if you can find a good one they are great. Do it not only for you but your unborn baby. Hang in there Sweetie. Good luck and don't give up until you can get help for yourself.

Hi!
I have suffered depression most of my life and was on medicine for it. I went off of it when I got pregnant, this is my 2nd pregnancy. My first one was a smooth happy pregnancy, but this one has been very difficult with many, many symptoms and it has been really tough on me. I'm also taking care of my 2 1/2 year old through it all. During this pregnancy my depression has been SO bad. It has been horrible. Every day I am crying, I have no motivation, I have felt very very low. My husband doesn't understand much and he's no help at all. I feel very alone and very down. I was also wondering if other people get depressed much during pregnancy and how to handle it. I am 33 weeks along now...

M.,
I suffered depression through the majority of my pregnancy w/my daughter. Her father's 'antics' nearly cost my unborn daughter her life many times. It developed into a very difficult pregnancy for me - and I was at the OB/GYN office every couple of weeks, or so, because of it. I wasn't suffering from Braxton-Hicks contractions - I was having actual contractions - and her father was the root cause.
To this day, I still thank God (everyday) for the OB/GYN I had. He really helped me, by listening to me, about my suspicions of having Post Partum Depression. Turned out it wasn't PPD I was suffering from... It was depression during my pregnancy caused by the antics and bullsh*t my daughter's father was pulling throughout the pregnancy. The OB/GYN put me on Prozac for about 3 months. When that didn't work, he told me I should seek counseling from a psychologist. The psychologist really helped me.
So, my advice to you M., is to speak w/your OB/GYN to find out if s/he recommends you seek counseling. More than likely, the OB/GYN will suggest that you wait until after the baby is born (usually after the first 6 wks). Good luck, and please let us know how things worked out for you.

First off, you are not the only one! Taking antidepressants when you are pregnant is possible, but you have to talk to you doc. I guess it's a choice to take them. I was the same way and chose not to take them but now I am as I was always prone to depression through the years. I am nursing my 7 month old and I chose to take the antidepressant recommended for pregnancy and lactation. For the sake of my family and my baby, I need to be well. It has been a tremendous help! I got my old self back and my baby doesn't seem affected by the meds. I read about sleep problems or crankyness but my baby is happy and healthy. Also at 8 months, you are almost done so hang in there. I would watch for Post Partum Depression and then definetely get help...Remember, you don't have to feel this way! Talk to your close family and friends and keep them close. They are the best therapy!

Hi M., This is completely normal, and sooo many women go through this. First off, you have a lot going on right now, which may be the main factor of your depression, and then add your hormones. I went through depression after the baby was born PPD. It was the worst depression and anxiety I have ever had. I was treated with anti depressants, and as soon as I got my first period after giving birth the depression went away. It is so hard to talk about, and I understand. I am a strong women, and it was so hard to be vulnerable to the sickness. Trust me though it gets better, and where you are 8 mos prego you can treat it. I strongly suggest asking your doc for prozac. That drug has been around the longest, and has no side effects when going off of it. Please do not let them put you on paxil, or effexor, these drugs have been known to harm the baby, and are very hard to get off of. M. def talk to your doc asap, you do not have to suffer, and it will be healthier for you and the baby to get treatment prior to delivery. I know the prozac is safe b/c my doc said that is what he would put me on the last tri of my next pregnancy to prevent me getting ppd again. And you are 8 mos prego, and thats when it is okay to take this. M., I know how hard it is to talk about this, and please know that you will be fine, and you will feel better. I promise. Do not suffer though, talk to your doc they can help, and remember this is SOOOO normal. You are not alone. If you want to talk any time I am here to listen, you can message me. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone. Take care, and I am here if you need me.

Go to your OBGYN TODAY!!!! Don't wait. It's not going to get better on it's own before you need it to. There is medication you can take while still pregnant and if you get started now you will feel better before you deliver. Please go get help immediatly. Don't wait. I waited too long and suffered for no reason. Call your doc today.

If you're working and your company has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), you might try calling them. They can usually assist you with counseling over the phone and also referrals to mental health specialists. I strongly suggest finding a mental health professional who specializes in helping mothers. Find someone you feel you can work with for the rest of your pregnancy and beyond. They need to be part of your support system, which someone else mentioned in a previous post.

***Make sure you have people around who can help you and who can be there for you for the first few weeks after the baby is born.***

There are more of us who dealt with depression during pregnancy than you might realize. Hopefully, you can also take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.