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Depression in pregnancy
03/02/2006 at 07:50
As a newly pregnant mum (third time round) and an extensive history of depression, I have had to come off all medication. I know I have got worst and worry about further complications. Is this happening to anyone else.
03/02/2006 at 12:51
HI Louise, I don't have any voice of similar experience to offer unfortunately, but just wanted to welcome you to the site.
Have you had a good discussion about this with your doctor? Has s/he suggested any alternative forms of therapy throughout pregnancy?
I know some people with depression find that, besides medications, there are things that they can do to help themselves, like exercise etc. I can't believe that they'd take you off medication without at least discussing some alternative forms of support, sounds terrible.
03/02/2006 at 12:53
Oh, and there are several 'due month' clubs here on the ThinkBaby forum, I find mine a really useful place for advice, support and somewhere neutral to blow off steam, not medication but it may still be helpful to you at some level.
03/02/2006 at 12:59
Hi Louise
Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear that the medication you use is not allowed during pregnancy. Having a baby is a wonderful experience but it has its own challenges - especially when you already have two children.
Obviously you have consulted your doctor about the medication but do talk to your obstetrician at the hospital, he or she may know of other options you could try.
Scribbler is right - there is a ton of great support here on the site from all the members, so please, please make the most of us.
06/02/2006 at 11:52
Hi Louise,
I know exactly how you feel. I'm off my medication for post natal depression. And at the moment everyday seems to be a struggle. I wake up crying. My daughter is about the only person that keeps me going! I'm just so anxious all the time, and like you, it feels worse that ever. My partner finds it really difficult to understand, which obviously just adds to the blues. Luckily the rest of my family, have been my rock. How is your partner with you, do you have a good support network around you? I just wish I could "snap out of it", I know I should be so happy.
Chin up Louise, I'm here if you need to chat.
Emma xx
06/02/2006 at 13:54
Hi Louise,
Although I didn't suffer depression while I was pregnant I do have experience of depression itself. Being pregnant is hard work and it's no wonder it feels as though it's worse than ever. All the hormonal changes, etc, make it seem like everything is crashing down around you but as has been mentioned, this site is all about support. Think of us as a big support network and whenever you have a problem, or want to blow off steam, give us a try.
I'm sure there are some medications you can take during pregnancy so have a chat with your doctor, midwife or even a pharmacist as they'll be able to offer you support and advice.
You'll never be told to "snap out of it" on this site (right, Emma?) It would be so much easier if it was possible but it's not. All I can advise is that you take one day at a time. Perhaps you could enroll in some kind of relaxation class to help take your mind off other things and concentrate on yourself for a while?
We're always here if you need a chat.
Take care
Ginny XX
06/02/2006 at 16:01
Thank you for your lovely responses. I am seeking help from alternative sources but alas, have to await appointments and schedules. Its the feeling of letting down my kids that scares me the most and thats not a nice feeling at all. I am going to see another Doctor on Friday so will await the verdict. My partner doesn't understand and hence we have split up possibly long term but unsure yet.
Anyway, thank you all. It is lovely to read your encouragement. I haven't told anyone at work yet and anticpate that to be a difficult thing too.
Being a mum is the best job and the only truly good thing I (try to) do.
Love Louise x
07/02/2006 at 10:45
Hi Louise,
Sorry to hear about your split. Hopefully, you can work things out. You sound so much like me. Motherhood is the only thing I truly enjoy and the only thing I'm good at. I've enabled my email, if you want to email direct. Take care, Emma x
09/02/2006 at 20:54
hello louise, i was on fuloxitine before i became pregnate but the doctor said that i should come off them now. when i was pregnate the first time i was referred to a psychatric nurse during my whole pregnacy and talking did help but this time round they are not offering that as i am in a new area. maybe you could ask what is on offer. i am finding looking after my son particuly hard at the moment without the medicationa and because i am so tired, but i am asking for as much help from my family. hang in there. there maybe some medication that you can take in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. good luck. i have to keep reminding myslef that some of these feelings are down to the hormones and im not going mad.
13/02/2006 at 15:12
I had depression before my daughter was born, and then again a year or so afterwards. It will eventually get easier for you. You must tell yourself that you are doing the best you can. Take each day at a time, you might feel really bad one day but its not as bad the next. If you are now on your own (I have recently split with my husband too) you might well find that things are slightly easier as you dont have him to worry about. They dont understand how it lonely and isolated depression feels. I see it now as a big black hole, with those comedy stairs up the side, (the ones that turn stairs into a slide). On a good day I am climbing the stairs and the top is in sight, on a bad day its a slide and I fall further down. But as days get easier you dont fall as far, then as bad lessen you get nearer the top until you are at the top. Before my husband left I thought I was going to have to go back on my medication, but since hes gone I have less worries, less hassle, I can do what I want when I want (with Anastasia in tow of course). At this moment in time I feel strong enough to overcome any depression, my black hole is still lurking but I,m not in it.
Sorry this message is so long, life story!!
Be strong, be yourself, and if the housework slips a bit who cares!! There is always tomorrow, and the saying is that "dull woman have immaculate homes" (and no kids). Good luck!! You CAN do it!!
15/02/2006 at 07:39
I am sitting here crying because alll of your kind words seem so true. I am going to see the Sychriatic unit tomorrow to discuss going back on Medication tommorrow. I don't really want to, but don't want to harm the baby with my 'madness'.
Thank you all again
x
15/02/2006 at 09:12
Louise, if its any consolation, I've gone back on medication, as of last thursday. And although they obviously haven't kicked in yet, just knowing that I'm doing something makes me feel better. My doctor has been absolutely brilliant, and just by talking to him, I no longer feel like I'm going mad! I'm just not well, and I need to get better not only for my little Maisie, but also for this baby. You can do it Louise, I keep telling myself I will look back at this time in maybe a year or so, and wonder how I could of felt like this. Here if you need us.......
Emma x
15/02/2006 at 09:27
I just wanted to say like the others I will try and enable my email if you need a chat. Just go with the flow, try not to beat yourself up about it. Like Emma said you're ill, you aren't this way on purpose, it isn't your fault. You will get better, it just takes time. I'm never far from the computer if you fancy a natter! Take care! :-)
26/06/2007 at 10:35
I have suffered from Depression and been medicated on and off since a Teenager. I have an eight year old daughter who is so Happy and Helpful. But since becoming Pregnant this time round to a different Partner i have been with for nearly a year under very strange and strained circumstances i just feel worthless. I am very close to my G.P and he is very supportve but as said by other i have to stop the medication and my one therapy that has worked all my life is going out Binge Drinking with the girls but that is now an instant No,NO. I haven't had an Alcoholic Beverage of Recreational Drug for 3 1/2 months which i am very proud of but i have isolated myself from all my friends and family because of my mood swings which get very very Spiteful verbally and sometimes can get violent as i have a Hormonal inbalance, and i feel so Alone. Some days i feel Suicidal but don't want to Die atall, i just want to be Happy with my Partner and Kids. I have been reffered to a psychiatrist(CPN) and Crisis Team but never hear from them... Does anyone else feel this extreme... I just want someone to Talk everything through who is a stranger and impartial to tell me whether i am Mad or just putting up with a lot of Problems and being a MUG...
26/06/2007 at 11:08
Hi Sharon
You are not alone, I know how you feel. I have suffered on and off for about 10 years, (I am now 25). You are doing really well to stay off the alcohol and drugs and hopefully the mood swings will get less as your body gets used to it, your body is also adjusting to not having the medication too. Please try not to isolate yourself as I'm sure your family and friends want to be there for you and they understand.
I stuggle some days to get out of bed and leave the house, but I know I need to work for the money to support my baby. My partner doesn't understand as there is nothing obvious about my life at the moment that I am depressed about, he thinks as everything is ok at the moment I should be happy. But it doesn't work like that. I also sometimes get suicidal thoughts but I know I don't want to die, I want to be happy but it feels like I don't know how to be happy.
You can come on here any time and let your feelings out, there will always be someone who will answer you.
Take care xxx
26/06/2007 at 15:49
Hi there Louise, there are some antidepressant medication's that are safe during pregnancy ask your GP.I have to ask where you weened off slowly coz if you weren't then you should have been and that can cause side affect's,I just came off mine it was my chioce coz I'm TTC and I've been batteling depresstion since 11 years of age but didn't addmit to anyone till I was 17 after faild suicide attempt's there is a light at the end of the tunel and you will come out the other side of this illness I just hope my story will give you some hope that thing will get better it may take time but keep going tell your GP how your feeling s/he should refure you to councilor to help you work though your fear and dark feeling just remember you are not alone and you are worthy of happiness
28/06/2007 at 10:30
Hi Anna T, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for you're reply! I felt so Alone and Mad but knowing other people have theese problems and feelings clarifies alot for me. My partner is so Emotionally unsupportive due to his Lifestyle which is a whole next Subject i am dealling with in therapy. As for the Family & Friend Situation i understand what you mean but in life you have life givers and life takers, well i've always been a life giver and i have run out of energy and don't have anymore life to give as my own needs sorting out right now! I have joined a Spiritualist Church which is Healing and Supporting me and has given me back some of my old strenght, I have made the decision with my daughter for us to move away before my baby is born for a Fresh New start if my partner follows that is his choice if not then que sera sera... I need to concentrate on Me, My daughter and Unborn Child! I am going back to Uni and starting my own internet business for a steady income while i study so things are looking up... If you ever feel you need a chat my email is clickwilliams@hotmail.com! Thank u Once again, Take care
29/06/2007 at 20:25
i know this might sound wierd but i am 16 weeks pregnant am i am so depressed...
i have nobody, i am 20, my mum has kicked me out and disowned me and i currently living with my sister. she lives in a 3 bed house with her partner, 4 children and another on the way. then there's me, sleeping on the sofa and pregnant with my own baby.
my boyfriend can't make up his mind, one minute he wants nothing to do with me, next he wants to be with me but even when he wants to be with me he makes me feel like a bad person for keeping the baby.
the council have turned me down for emergency accomodation because they don't think i am priority but druggies and no hopers are... and i can't rent privately because due to having a form of disability i can only work four hours a day on minimum wage.
this is the first time i have spoken out because i am scared that i might have my baby taken off me when it is born and to be honest thats the only good thing a have got going for me. i am so scared that people are goign to have my baby taken away from me.
what should i do??????
03/07/2007 at 14:36
To Charlotte Tomlinson
You are not alone. I had my first child when i was 18 and ended up in a hostel till i got housed. My family pretend to everyone they supported me but they put me down and rubbished me so i ended up with post natal depression. But there is a happy ending my daughter is now eight nearly nine and i may be depressed aain but i am pregnant for the second time but this partner actually wants me and my child hence me not knowing why i am depressed. but what i advise you to do is go straight to your GP anf tell them exactly how you feel and how scared you are and need support to keep your child with you... You'll be surprised at the amount of help available... Other than that positive mental attitude you're young and as for you boyfriend you don't need the added drama so tell him to leave you be till you have you child because your hormones will be all over the place, but you're young so the support is all there, even at your local family planning if you're scared to talk to your GP. And please show you're sister the apprehiation for her support as you will need someone and it seems that some for you is her... Take Care though, you're stronger thatn you think you've spoke out and asked for help that is the first step believe me...
05/07/2007 at 01:57
thank you sharon,
i am going to go to the doctors soon. i just cant stop crying. i have confided in my boss at work but i don't think she takes me seriously.
thankyou for your support, i wish you the best of luck with your daughter and little dude xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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