i'm pregnant and suffering with depression any advice.?

Question

I've always had depression and now that i am pregnant it seems to getting worse.Is there anything i can do to help!I'm worried about getting pnd after the birth. and i don't want to miss out on my babys first months. Please help

Answer 1

I feel for you. I do not normally suffer from depression but got it quite bad when I was pregnant. You really MUST go and see you DR/ Councillor about this. We cannot help you properly.
I hope things start to look up soon for you.

Answer 2

Hi

Sorry that you're having a tough time. I had (undiagnosed) ante-natal depression and then PND with my first son - now 4.

There is help out there but sadly it's not always well publicised.

Here are a couple of great websites which have telephone helplines ...

www.apni.org and www.mama.co.uk

I also received a lot of support from the women who use the boards at www.ivillage.co.uk - there's a new one just opened specifically for ante-natal depression and there will still be links about medication and help available on the one for postnatal depression.

Lots of women have posted about which anti-ds are suitable for pregnancy and afterwards if breastfeeding.

If you can't find those boards feel free to email me and I'll give you direct links.

Please contact your midwife to talk about this - I know some health authorities have specialised ante and post natal counsellors.

When pregnant with my second son (nearly one) I used the relaxation CDs from www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk and they helped me to stay calm as I was frightened that I'd get PND again which thankfully I didn't.

Best wishes for the arrival of your new baby.

Take care of yourself - lots of rest, good food and pampering!

K x

Answer 3

I had seriously bad depression while I was pregnant (due to my life totally falling apart around me at the same time), and I stayed indoors for most of it, which wasn't the best idea. My tip to you is to make sure you go out every day and get plenty of fresh air and sunshine as you can. Do what you can to not be dwelling on your problems - do something for yourself once a week, even if it's just yoga or painting class or swimming or something.

Also, if you can find yourself a good support system of other mothers, it will do you the world of good (this is what saved me when my depression was bad). Just being with other people who are understanding is a godsend. Then when your babies are born you can all get together :-) Ante-natal classes and aqua-natal classes are a good place to find folk :-)

Also, try and get to see a counsellor if you can. I didn't get counselling until after my baby was born, and it helped loads, although I wish I'd done it sooner.

Oh, and make sure you're eating well. Try laying off wheat products, that might help too :-)

Also, a trip to the doctor to voice your concerns wouldn't do any harm. They could advise you on any good vitamin supplements and all that jazz.

Oh, and I find that some good soppy music is always handy to have around if you just need to let it all out. I recommend Savage Garden :-)

Good luck and happy parenting :-)

Answer 4

I had had this problem with my 2nd child due to tthe fact i was getting no support from the father and i expressed my concers to my family that i was worried i would get pnd they just shruged me of saying dont worry but this made me feel worse, after the birth within 3 days bang it hit me i was ill for 8 months in all so you really need to talk to some1 now i never bonnded with my child for months i was autopilot caring for my son and felt as though i didnt love him but i pulled my self through this not with any help from doctors i knew i had a problem and concentrated really hard to stop the deppression and i did it if you need any 1 to talk with my email is [e-mail] feel free anytime good luck

Answer 5

Things are going to change for you when you have the baby you will not miss out on anything that best thing to do is know that you are going getting the best gift in the world and if that itself does not make you happy than I have no clue what will... You just have to stick in there and know that you are not alone there are people out there that can help with the depression problem and one of them is right there in your belly, I know that it does not help being pregnant bc you are watching tv or listening to the one song that makes you start crying, but keep your head up and smile bc you are getting something out of life that some people can not have and that is giving life to another...
good luck with everything

Answer 6

Go talk to your doctor or midwife asap, they will get you all the help you need. Get help soon because when the baby comes you will have enough on your plate! And try not to worry, you may not get pnd just because you suffer from depression - I didn't.

Answer 7

Although you are pregnant you can still have anti-depressants but it is important to take them while you are still pregnant, this will decrease the likelyhood of getting PND, it will even out your moods and state of mind

I hope you can get something sorted out so you can look forward to this upcoming event.
Good luck and take care x x x

Answer 8

Get help for your depression, whether is talking to a Doctor or taking medication prescribed by a Doctor. I suffered from depression and I am not pregnant, I could not imagine both at the same time.
God bless you and go see your doctor. I will pray for you on this end.

Answer 9

Antidepressants are not safe during pregnancy so I suggest getting some cognitive psychotherapy during pregnancy. You are at increased risk for post-partum depression. I usually encourage women to try breastfeeding, but in your case, it may be better for you and your baby for you to go on antidepressants after birth, and formula-feed the baby. You can't be a good mother if you can't take care of yourself. There is no shame in needing medication.

Answer 10

First thing is not to panick, ther is plenty of help out there.
Have you spoken to your Local Pregnancy nurse or your GP, as they can normally help without the need for medication.
Or look arounf for some local charities that ofer help and advice in these circumstances.
And good luck with the birth and the depression issue.