depression?

Question

i posted a question before about self harm and realise i do have a problem with it but me and my husband want to try for another baby we have an eight month old is there anything you can take when pregnant for depression that won't harm the baby i know i need to see some one but i'm ashamed of it only my hubby knows any ideas please.

crystal how dare you sugest i would hurt my baby self harm is just that i would never hurt her that is so hurtful

Answer 1

Hi,

came across your question on the internet by chance and it is an area I have been reserching for myself. I don't know your particular details so obviously can only give you very broad advice based on my own experiences. I myself have suffered with long term depression for about ten years - it is purely clinical hence no reason ofr it (not reactive to something that has happened. In the past i have self harmed but luckily I have now managed to control it although frequently have very strong self harm thoughts.
I have just spent the last year coming off antidepressant s to have a baby but unfortunately my depression has come back with a vengence. Unlike you i am NOT ashamed of this infliction. Alot or most people do not understand it and I have come across some very negative responses from people who are basically ignorant. People who do understand will jot make a judgement of you and will give you the care you need. i really do reccomend you seeing a profesional. if you feel your doctor is unsympathetic (My experience with doctors has not been good), you can request to be referred to a psychiatrist. It is your right to see a psychiatrist although doctors can be relctant to refer you - if you insist they have to oblige.

Anyway I will get to the point and answer your question - I went to see my psychiatrist a week ago about what drugs are safe to take. The drug she suggested was Prozac - this is the safest antidepressant to take but is not without risk - babies are not likely to have deformities but they can experience some problems after birth such as crying alot, breathing problems (short term- not serious) and the shakes. The baby is unlikely to have withdrawal as Prozac leaves your body very slowly (takes about six weeks).

She said you have to weigh up the pros and cons, which is the highest risk - if you are badly depressed and selfharming then it is obviously needed and you and the baby are at more risk not taking them. She has advised me to take them during my pregnancy but if possible to avoid them during the first trimester.

hope this helps in some way, but really i cannot urge you enough to see a professional. I went for cognitive behaviour therapy which is fantastic for re-programming your thoughts and will tackle things such as self harm. the NHS do provide CBT but there is a waiting list of about 1 1/2 years!

Good luck with whatever you decide - you are not alone and you need not be ashamed. take care.

Answer 2

There's nothing to be ashamed of sweetie, I am a pregnant mother of one, and had to stop my anti-depressants to start trying for this baby. As far as I know there are no safe ones to take during pregnancy or nursing... I was put on anti depressants when my first child was about a year old.... nobody needs to know that you are on them except for your doctor and your husband, believe me they help and if you feel you need them, please talk to your doctor. It will change your life and your children's lives. You will be a much better mom, when you are happy. Maybe you should wait a while to try for another baby, you're first is sooo young and having two children so close together is not going to help your depression at all. It is going to be very difficult for you. My suggestion would be to talk to your doctor, start some anti depressants and see how you make out in the next while, once you start feeling better and like you can handle another child, then think about stopping and getting pregnant then. I hope it helps. There are a lot more women out there on anti depressants than you think... it's just not talked about, once I told a few of my close friends that I was taking it, it was discovered that over half of my friends had taken them for one reason or another, there's nothing to be ashamed of!!!

Answer 3

Go and see a doctor. The medical world doesn't generally deal with psychological problems well, so bear that in mind. Try to find a therapist or counsellor that you can work with and afford. There may be ways (depending on your circumstances and country) that you can get treatment for free.

Since you want to try for another child, many (if not all) chemical treatments for depression will be impractical. Your doctor should be able to help.

If you go down the route of therapy, I'd recommmend starting before you try to have another child. It's possible that your condition may initially deteriorate when you start therapy. Try to ensure that you have a support network in place and that those you lean on have someone they can talk to as well.

I hope some of this helps. I wish you all the best.

Answer 4

There is no need to feel ashamed when you feel depressed, because those who feel depressed are really usually strong minded people. I would suggest that you see your GP, regarding any medication which you can take safely when you are pregnant. If you feel alone, you can try to join a self-help group in your area, or join a postal group for help with depression and mood swings. Our hormones play a large part in the way we feel, and I would suggest that you seek help from your GP first of all. Good luck for the future.

Answer 5

Here's a really good idea! Call a doctor out of the phone book... Remain anonymous by request (That way you can be completely open and honest), and if you like what he/she says, seriously ask for an appointment. By the way, do not bring a child into the world if you are depressed because post-partum depression is nothing to laugh about trust me, and I'm a man.

Answer 6

Are you sure you want another child when suffering depression? Is this post-partum depression, if so, you should talk to your Dr about it, because believe me, having two children so close together is not a good combination with depression. I have never suffered depression, but after my second child, I can definitely see how some women go through it. Now if you are having self-harm issues...it sounds like it can easily turn into harming your child. You do need to see someone, don't be ashamed, there are many people that suffer depression and if your husband isn't able to help you through your issues, and is unable to perscribe anything...you need to get yourself to someone that can. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Is having another baby really a good idea? I mean, really? If youre already depressed a baby may only add to this dilema. The sleepless nights, stress, tension between yourself an hubby increases.. Maybe you just need to focus on what you have right now and try and enjoy what it is thats already there.

Answer 8

I actually were affected by submit partum melancholy for the previous 365 days when I gave start to a toddler boy. i could not end wondering about how my husband loves him more advantageous than me and how issues may be extra powerful if he wasn't born in any respect. subsequently, I stayed remote from him because I knew that i'd do something i'd be apologetic about for something else of my existence. almost good now I went to a therapist and persuade them that i want help. between different issues, i have tried organic supplementations and different e book to handle melancholy yet not something works like the melancholy loose technique. So now i'm proud to assert i'm between the happiest mom contained in the international. My husband loves us both very a lot and that i thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us. melancholy loose technique?

Answer 9

hi hun there are some anti depressants you can take whilst pregnant but if you aren't taking them now i would imagine your doctor may recommend waiting until after you have had the new baby.if i were you i would get your depression treated now i had it after the birth of my son i was on antidepressants for a year and now i'm off them better than ever and expecting again and feel prepared. i would get yourself better first even if you have to wait a year or two you will be glad you did.find the courage to go see a doctor i dreaded it but they deal with things like this daily they will help you and get you better all the best xx

Answer 10

You really need to get yourself sorted out before bringing a baby into the world. That would not be fair at all, that poor child would probably be affected by anything you took whilst pregnant as well as by your mood swings. Concentrate on getting yourself better, babies don't solve problems and once you're better, there will be plenty of time for more. You could be setting yourself up for really bad post-natal depression.