Pregnancy and Depression. - Killeen,TX

Updated on April 02, 2010
C.S. asks from Killeen, TX
13 answers

Ladies,

When I had my first child I suffered from post partum depression. It went undiagnosed and unmedicated. Eventually I felt better and things balanced out and I was fine. I am pregnant again and I am already feeling the same things I felt after my daughter was born. Is it possible to have a PRE-post partum? Is there any such thing? Could this just be me having a rush of pregnancy hormones and I am just over-reacting? Have any of you felt this way or had to deal with the same feelings? I would just like to hear from you and get some ideas? My next appointment is the end of this month and I will also be sure to talk to my doctor! Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

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S.A.

answers from Austin on

Yes, it's definitely possible to be depressed while pregnant. It has happened to me every single time I've had a child. Actually, once the baby is born, I go right back to normal, except with my last one, where I was still depressed for about 2 weeks afterward. I never got help and I really should have. I was to the point of thinking about suicide, although I never planned to actually do it. You are recognizing the signs and need to ask for help. There is no need to suffer when there is help available.

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K.S.

answers from Atlanta on

What you are talking about is called antepartum or antenatal depression. It's actually just as common as postpartum depression. Here are a few links for you on the topic:
MGH Center for Women's Mental Health http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/psych...

Postpartum Support International http://postpartum.net.gravitatehosting.com/Get-the-Facts/...

There is a lot of research currently going on into the treatment of depression during pregnancy, including looking at such treatments as therapy, yoga and acupuncture, in addition to the potential of medication. You should definitely discuss this with your doctor, and if your depression is bad enough you should feel comfortable requesting to go in and see him or her prior to the date of your appointment.

K., Postpartum Progress, www.postpartumprogress.com

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V.L.

answers from Dallas on

Could it also be Seasonal Adjustment Disorder? Sitting in the sun for only 15 minutes a day with as much skin exposed as you can (since it is still cold out sometimes that's hard!) can help with the vitamin D that is lost during pregnancy. No amount of milk can replace the actual sun's vitamin D. This is just one easy homeopathic remedy to start until you make it to your doctor. Namaste!

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C.C.

answers from Tampa on

I feel terrible when I was pregnant and wish that I would have said something sooner. Apparently it's fairly common to feel depressed with the hormone fluctuations and other body changes. If I had said something sooner and gotten treatment maybe things wouldn't have been so difficult when I did finally give birth. As it was I had much farther to go to get back to normal. Whether your doctor feels this is something to begin treating now or just monitor for the time being it's well worth mentioning. I'm still kicking myself for not having been more honest with myself and those around me.

R.W.

answers from San Antonio on

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J.C.

answers from New York on

I was anxious all through my pregnancy and ended up with PPD (more anxiety than depression) after. So yes, it's possible. I look back now and wish that I had recognized it but didn't. If I were you (and what I plan to do for #2 PG) is to get some counseling while you're PG. It can really only help. Medication is possible during pregnancy but if I were you, I'd start talking and also get advice from your OB. Trust me and go see him/her right away or just call. They will giude you. Another thing to cinsider is to go on something like Zoloft immediately after giving birth (discuss breatfeeding options). It will help a lot and is certainly not a permanant solution. You can wean off it once you know that you are feeling great. Good luck!!

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B.B.

answers from Houston on

I am so glad to see your posting!!! I'm sorry for your feelings of depression but I too am going through the exactg same thing right now!! I am 20 weeks pregnant and told my husband that I feel so depressed and don't know why. When I sit down and reason it out I can understand my feelings. I was prescribed the antidepressant Pristiq and was taking it before I got pregnant and after ALOT of thought and discussions with the doctor we decided I stay on the medication. It has caused my alot of worry too about causing harm to the baby but we decided that the benefits outweighed the cons. Even with the meds and therapy (I try to talk to a therapist almost weekly) I am trying to manage my feelings. I don't feel suicidal at all, just really tired and very sad at times. I suffered from infertility issues and getting pregnant was difficult and painful for me (we did IVF and it worked). I really think being on all of the hormones really can play havic with your emotions!!! Also, this pregnancy has been really hard on me making me feel sick just about all the time so that alone could make anyone depressed!!! I would talk to your doctor and maybe talking to someone alone might make you feel better. Or, you may need medicine. Life is too short to be so sad. I wish you well and know that you are not alone. There are others that know what you are feeling and going through! Take care of yourself!

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K.F.

answers from College Station on

I just wanted to point out that you should be proud that you have figured out already that you have a problem and are taking steps to correct it. That alone means that you are not over reacting. There are many anti depressants that are very safe to take during pregnancy. You should ask our ob for one. Get a head start and maybe you could head it off all together with this next one.

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J.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hang in there mom-to-be! It can still happen (post-partum) in every pregnancy. Just do not get overwhelmed and just go with the flow of your pregnancy and enjoy having your new bundle of joy!

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D.G.

answers from Austin on

I'm in the same spot as you are. I am currently 4 months pregnant with baby #2 and I am severely depressed, although I attribute mine to my constant, dreadful all day morning sickness. That in itself messes with my entire psyche. With baby #1 I didn't have pre nor post partum depression, nor did I suffer from morning sickness this long into the pregnancy. Even with the chemo drug Zofran, the nausea isn't letting up. So I would say, yes it could be attributed to the influx of hormones or it could just be your body/mind reacting totally different to baby #2. Talk to your ob/gyn.

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

YES! My depression spiked when I was pregnant. I talked with my husband and family and doctor and chose not to take medications, but my doctor did mention that there are some meds that are relatively safe after the first trimester. I took an herbal supplement called "oat seed" during my pregnancies to take the edge off. My doctor wouldn't "recommend" that I continue using it, but it was recommended by my herbalist. If you want more info let me know and I could look up the info on the bottle.

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D.H.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, it is possible to be pregnant during pregnancy. In fact I think they call in antepartum depression. I am suffering with it right now. I also had it with my first pregnancy, and then the post partum was even worse.

My OB advised me to see if I could wait until the first trimester was over and see if I felt any better. She said if not, there is no harm to the baby in taking certain antidepressants. I'm going to take her up on it this time if I don't feel better, it isn't good for me or the baby if I go through what I went through last time. Hang in there and don't hold back with your Dr. Take care of yourself.

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

wow this was so me a year ago. Doing great now though. I did some work on issues that came out and was really fine once baby was born. Talk with your ob. Talk with someone who specialized in mental health and try some intensive journaling. A combined approach got me through it all and ppd this time

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