Really late onset for post partum depression?

Question

My daughter just turned one. I am expecting our second baby in June. I've been feeling "out of it" and just mentally fuzzy since about December (got pregnant in Sept). I used to have bipolar symptoms about 3 years ago, I was on meds, didn't need them anymore and have been fine since.
I am going to the doc, but I want to know what you think.
Could it be post partum depression? Even though I don't feel "depressed?" Or could it be that the pregnancy knocked my brain chemicals out of sync? Or could it be the bipolar stuff resurfacing?
I feel like I can't keep up with house work and I think I should be able to seeing that I only have one kid. And when I sit down to rest (pregnancy makes me really tired), I feel guilty. And I get very angry sometimes. I don't take it out on my daughter or anything, but I hate the way the anger makes me feel. What does this sound like to you?
Help please. Thanks.

Answer 1

Honey you can have PND any time up to 18 months after delivery,
You need to rest and do some fun things for yourself.
It does get easier, but you must try to relax the anger so baby doesn't end up with anger issues.
I know how you feel, just rest as much as possible

Answer 2

It sounds like you are feeling a little overwhelmed and the chemicals in your body are going to change being pregnant. I would talk to your Dr about the way you are feeling and tell him about your prior depression and see what he thinks. Although they can't give you medication for Bipolar while pregnant there might be something else they can suggest. Feeling tired is natural and is ok because your body is going through a change and you already have a one year old that takes alot of your time so don't worry if you sit down to rest you shouldn't feel guilty. Do what you can do in a day and then the next day do the rest. Each day will get better. Everyone has good days and bad days. As far as your anger goes, at least you are aware of it and that is good. Do some deep breathing excercises to control your anger and make sure you take time out for yourself each day to relax. Try to figure out what is making you so angry and work on it so it doesn't get out of control. Talk to your Dr. he can probably give you some good advice.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

Practicing some breathing exercises helped
my wife a great deal, during such times.
Mindfulness of Breathing exercises:

1) Be in a comfortable position, whether sitting
or lying down.

2) Have someone watch your other children for
about 10 or 15 min.

Then close your eyes, and concentrate
totally on your breathing.

3) At the end of your first inhalation of oxygen,
count one. Keep doing this until you get to
ten.

4) Then focus your attention on breathing only
through your nostrils. which filter out all
the things, which are not healthy to breath
into your lungs. Be aware of the various
sensations through your nostrils, while you
continue the counting. When you get to
ten, start again at one.

5) When a distracting thoght enters your mind
allow it to pass through {your mind], w/out
analyzing it, or judging it, or trying to fix it.
And then gently, patiently bring your full
attention back to your breath. Every time,
a distracting thought {any thought which
would take your attention of your breath),
comes to your mind, you need to use this
skillful, disciplinary process. And many
thoghts do come into our minds, especially
thoughts of worry, or pressing thoughts
which often dictate to us that we need to
do something else which is more impt.
Practice, practice, practice. This really
does work.

**"There is already proven evidence of the
Success of The Mindfulness of Breathing
exercises Proven by Dr. Jon Kabat-ZinnPhD
and by many other Dr.s and Scientists as
well. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. has a book
out called, "Coming to Our Senses' which
teaches this. Also a book called, " The
Beginner's Guide to Insight Meditation"
by: Arinna Weisman & Jean Smith is most
Excellent also. Insight meditation is a higher
form of The Mindfulness of Breathing exer-
cises, that's all it is. It's really helpful.

I became greatly interested in all of this when
my wife went through post partum depression after each child. We have two children. Did the research for my wife, and it helped her a lot !

For some, it may be necessary to take a
anti-depressent prescribed by a family physician. And many women use this mindfulness of breathing exercises along with low milligram strength anti-depressant.
Do what works best for you.
I practice mindfulness of breathing to reduce stress, anxieties, and low grade depressive symptioms I occasionally experience from working Graveyard as an R.N., and from going to College in the evening. Never seem to get more than 4 hrs. sleep a day.

Hope I was able to help some.
Your asked an Excellent Question.
Have a Great week, & weekend.

P.S. - the mindfulness of breathing helps with anger alot too. Reading the book: "Working with Anger. by: Thubten Chodron will help
also, if your occasional anger really bothers
you. My wife went through the anger thing too, and I do also at times, from not getting enough sleep Sun. - Thurs.{work]. Just Be very Patient with Yourself, and continue the practice of the Mindfulness of Breathing daily. It helps a lot.
"This meditative practice, the mindfulness of breathing exercises are what medical doctors, many Psychiatrist, and especially cognitive behavioral therapists teach their patients to help them use their intelligence to control symtoms of depression, anxiety, Bipolar,
ADHD, and many other unwanted mental and
emotional states. Check out the books I have suggested to you. You'll do just fine. I have full
confidence in you, believe in yourself as well.

Answer 4

Well, it could be postpartum depression, or it could be depression related to the changes of the current pregnancy, or it could be a resurfacing of bipolar symptoms. Or it could just be normal stress of having a little one and another on the way. Discuss it with your OB/GYN and your psychiatrist. Good luck!

Answer 5

My dear, of course you feel out of sort, with a one year old and another on the way! It's called normal!

I don't think you can get Post partum when your PG.

Get some rest, take your vitamins, avoid sugar and get someone to help you!

Answer 6

It can be overwhelming and depressing to deal with babies and young children. See if you can't put your one year old in a stroller and get out for some fresh air. If it's too cold, walk her in a mall. If your husband isn't sharing the load with you, this doesn't help the restment you're feeling.

Answer 7

its just hormones
and tryin to keep up with a 1 yr old while your preg is tiring
i dont know how you do it
when i was preg with my daughter i used to sleep all the time
i couldnt imagine having to take care of another baby while being preg