Is There Such Thing as Prepartum Depression???

I would definately tell my hubby that after the baby is born there has to be some rearrangement of schedule or as someone else suggested, put them in classes. The YMCA usualy offers all day summer programs, including your 3 year old, I think.
If there are no programs for the weekends, why can't you change the arrangement with the mother so you have them when he's there? so he can see them and you can rest when you're alone?
My Dr was afraid I had depression (I'm 23wks) and suggested zoloft. I declined cos of the withdrawls the baby goes thru after birth, possible respiratory issues, jitters, sleep and eating issues. Not worth the risk to me.
If there aren't classes and the schd change isn't feasible, take them to the YMCA to swim all day and run around.
When are you due? I am due 7/7/07 and expect to take daughter to swim daily. THey have the baby indoor pool and u can sit on the sideline watching with ur newborn. Just to get out of the house and keep them out of your hair.

Hope some suggestions helped...What a LOAD! :)
Amy

i believe postpartum deprssion can start prepartum... some drs will start moms on medications before the baby's born bc they're starting to become depressed. I have a friend who's due in a little bit and is taking antidepressants already. Honestly though it just sounds like you're overwhelmed and filled with anxiety about the impending summer when you'll be even more overwhelmed.
I would try and talk to your husband about it... he needs to know how you're feeling... and that you need a little help...
Is there a grandmother who can help out a bit? Or aunt or friend?
Also you might look intp some summer classes for the girls. There might be an art class or a dance camp that is reasonably priced, fun for them, and get them out of the house. YMCA's offer lots of things in the summer that are reasonably priced. :) good luck.

You never mentioned when YOUR time is! You do have some, right?! If not, that's a priority. The best way to fend off depression is to get time to yourself to have time to do what YOU want... it can be a sport (I play ice hockey), a hobby (scrapbooking, cross stitch), or getting together with friends (book club, mother's club meetings, Mom's Night Outs) or simply hanging out at Starbucks for 2 hours reading a good book.

Please join a local mothers club (I personally love Mothers & More - mothersandmore.com) for local support. Is the 3 year old in preschool? There are alot of preschools and preschool summer camps for kids starting at age 3. It would give you a good break for a couple hours a few mornings a week. You can also find another mom to swap babysitting with so you can get out and take a break. For the summer, you can put the 4 and 7 year old into a local day camp for when they visit. Check out the YMCA or local Parks & Rec department for inexpensive half-day camps.

You also need to sit down with your husband and tell him simply that you need help - especially on the weekends when he's working and you're alone with all the kids. He should be understanding because it's hard work to be alone all day with 3 kids - let alone adding a newborn to the mix!

I was pretty depressed while I was pregnant with my daughter. Maybe talk to you doctor about it and they can give you some tips. Arianna was my first so I think I had all the normal fears. I know I was pretty run down while I was pregnant and that did seem to cause me to feel more depressed. Maybe talk to your husband about how it's going to be difficult taking care of a newborn and everyone else and see if he suggests maybe getting some kind of help for you every once in a while. You are going to need some down time too. He gets that away time while he's at work and I'm sure you feel like you never get a break from it. I would hope that your husband sees that you love your stepdaughters and it's not that you don't want them there it's just that 4 kids is a lot for anyone to handle by themselves.

You absolutely can have depression while pregnant. It also puts you at more risk for postpartum depression. I agree with the other moms that you sound overwhelmed. You should definatley consider joining a moms group. They're awesome! Mine has playgroups once a week and they trade off babysitting on weekends. Maybe if you can just take a few minutes to yourself you'll feel better. You're probably feeling exhausted from the pregnancy too. Hang in there! I'm sure it will get better.

Hi! It's totally normal to wonder how you're going to adapt to a new baby when your present life already seems like a zoo. The amazing thing is though, you just do. We are built so strong and so adaptable, and honestly, you'll do great. You already know how to care for a baby and although it's exhausting at times to be caring for a newborn, you will fall right into the new schedule and before you know it, you'll look at yourself and see that you never really had to adjust, because it happened naturally. On those weekends when you have your step daughters, try not to look at it in a negative way before the weekend comes. If you do, you're setting yourself up to get frustrated and over worked. Instead, try to think of something special that can happen. Maybe rent a couple of movies they'd like, or buy a new game. You will probably find that you love the weekends because they will probably fall in love with their new little sibling and be more than willing to help out whenever you let them.

Some experts say that we are a direct product of our own attitude. Try to look at the good things in your life, concentrate on them, and how lucky you are to have them. Say them aloud to yourself. When you do this, you will tend to be happier and more patient. If you worry a lot, you're going to become a product of it, and be unhappy. There's no reason to worry about something that hasn't happened yet. I understand that you're nervous and anxious about the new baby, but what can honestly come out of worrying about it now besides you getting depressed? Try to refocus your energy on getting the other kids and yourself excited about the new addition to the family. Maybe start talking to the girls about some of the exciting things they'll see when the new baby arrives, so you can all get excited about it together.

C.,

My sugestion to you is to explain to your husband what is going on. Let him know that you DO want his other children there but you are being drug down by everything and ask him if it is ok if you have some one like your mother or father to help you for a while. If he cares about you the way he should: he should understand how you feel and take your feelings in concideration. I'm not trying to say anything bad about him but he needs to understand that you need help with the kids while he is working. If that don't work, try talking to your step daughter's mother and see what she says and see if she can help you explain it to your husband. Let me know how this works out if you try it.

Okay. I hope my answer helps you. My husband and I we talk about everything no matter how much it may hurt. Sometimes you can use a gentle voice and understanding words to help the situation. If I were in your shoes I would talk to my hubby and tell him that you love his kids to death and that you would do anything for them but that you need a break. Tell him that you are tired and you have kids of your own that needs to be watched over including a baby on the way.. Also tell him that every once in awhile would be fine but right now it needs to slow down for you because you are packing on too much of a load. Sometimes you can run yourself into the ground with way more things on your plate. Just explain to him how you feel.

C.,

I can understand your apprehension when it comes to talking to your husband about having your stepdaughters every weekend. But to be honest, I think it is very unfair for everyone involved if they are there when he works leaving you to care for them and the girls not able to spend much quality time with their dad. My advice would be to talk to him when you both are in a good mood and explain to him how tired you are during the pregnancy and suggest the kids come during a couple of weekdays in the summer. That way both dad and kids can have time together and you will be able to tend to your little one and new baby when it arrives. As far as when school starts back up, maybe suggest (closer to that time) that the girls come every other weekend or simply during the time HE is home on the weekends. I know it's hard to talk about certain subjects, even with a spouse, but if you explain it so that he gets the point of it being for the better for himself and even moreso for his girls, he may appreciate the input.
Good luck to you.

M.

i know im late in responding, but it does exist, because i had it, and it went into post partum depression. my baby is almost 10 months old, and im taking meds, so im doing a lot better. it was so hard to bond with julian, and it broke my heart that i couldnt bond with him, but now, he wants me around all the time. i hope everything gets better for you.

YES!!!
Eventhough it is called "post" partum. It is very common that it starts during the pregnancy. With your "load" you are also in the risk category for it as well.
It would probably be a good time to round up the hard needed support for the last months of pregnancy and the time after that. Somehow it would be good if your husband would be able to learn a bit about the hormones, body, energy, etc. of a pregnant and postpartum woman so he could better understand that is has nothing to do with him, his girls, the new baby etc..
I don't know were you go for prenetal care but most health centers offer support, it can't hurt to ask. You really got a lot on your plate.
Feel free to email me if you want to talk.

ABSOLUTELY!!! I saw an expert talking on the news. They were talking about how many women experience depression DURING pregnancy, not just after birth. I would talk with you OB during your next visit about how you are feeling. There are perfectly safe meds out there to help and she/he could prescribe a very low dose that may "get you over the hump". Also, it could be a touch of seasonal depression. With the weather changing and all, sunshine coming out and warming more, you should start feeling better. :0) However, if you don't, there may really be a touch of depression.