Anxiety/Depression During Pregnancy----

First, I'm sending you big, big hugs and a giant cup of tea. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, and that being pregnant is amplifying an already stressful situation. We're only human and I believe it's normal to feel overwhelmed in such times.

Pregnancy was a difficult time for me too. I've only been pregnant the once, so I don't have much room for personal comparison. It was stressful for external reasons (my life was very unstable at the time), because I was in an identity crises (who AM I if I'm a mother / can I do this / where are my people?), hormones, and because I felt guilty for feeling as miserable.

I promised myself an early night and I'll add to this in the morning. For now, I'll send you my two favorite prayers.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

and the St. Francis Prayer

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace - that where there is hatred, I may bring love - that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness - that where there is discord, I may bring harmony - that where there is error, I may bring truth - that where there is doubt, I may bring faith - that where there is despair, I may bring hope - that where there are shadows, I may bring light - that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted - to understand, than to be understood - to love, than to be loved. For it is by selfforgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen.

I am sorry this is a hard time for you. I experienced the same thing though but wasn't laid off. Luckily the ob/gyn had a counselor right on site and I saw him the last few months of my third pregnancy to keep it together until after the baby wa born. I was a mess by 8 months being pregnant. Don't let anyone telll you to take an antidepressant while pregnant. The experts can say it is safe but that's bologna. I got counseling and then started the antidepressant once my DS was born. It makes a world of difference to get some support. Look into what your insurance covers. I would also look into a woman's post partum group. Your OB should be able to recommend a group if not your hospital might have a program. These are normally free so no stress on having to pay another bill. Hugs an Blessings. Congrats on the impending birth of your baby :)

I had a similar situation when I was pregnant w/ my last kid. My husband was injured ( somewhat) on the job( won't get into details, boring). Anyway, it was a very difficult time for me. Everyone told me to stop worrying but that's impossible. I think all the relaxation technique s, you are doing, are a good idea. I know you said your friends are going through their own stuff right now but I think reaching out / networking w/ them could be beneficial to all involved. You may be able to help & support each other.

It can be very stressful worrying about all of these things, I realize that. I dealt w/an enourmous amt of stress during the end of my pregancy, my mom was hospitalized w/pneumonia while I was supposed to be out on bed rest. It was a very difficult time. The pressures of being a mom can play havoc on us and life just happens all around us, but the main focus right now is that growing baby inside of you and YOU! Your bills can wait, I realize how stessful it can be. Trust me, I'm not just talking out of my wazoo! I have an 8 yr old & 14 yr old that try to help me, but sometimes them helping creates even more work! My husband was laid off from a V/P position he had at a company he worked @ 23 yrs, we had to do a short sale on our house, yes...the list goes on, but you know what - it all works out. Somehow, someway, I'm not just trying to make light of your situation but just trying to show you that there is proof, I'm your Mamapedia testimonial that you'll make it! Better days are coming, in a few months you'll be up at 1:11 am and saying who was that crazy crackpot sending responding to my msg about me being depressed, look at me now! I hope that you things start easing up a bit and if you ever need a shoulder, I'm here.

Don't listen to those that tell you that it's "bologna" that it's safe to take an antidepressant during pregnancy. There are risks with anythink you put in your body when you're pregnant, it doesn't mean that your child will suffer because of it. I took an antidepressant during my first pregnancy. My daughter is beautiful, bright, and super social. Not a thing wrong with her.

In fact, I decided to go ahead and get an antidepressant at about 20 weeks pregnant because I read that long-term studies have shown negative behavioral consequences for adolecents whose mothers had uncontrolled depression during their pregnancies.

When our hormones are out of whack, that affects our unborn children just like medicines do.

I have struggled with depression since I was about 16. I got counseling for it and things were better. But hormones have a funny effect - it doesn't really matter how many positive thinking skills you have and use, if your depression is caused by or being impacted by hormones, you're not going to get through it on your own.

That said, I don't know what your insurance situation is. If your insurance or lack of won't allow you to get an antidepressant, then I HIGHLY doubt it'll cover a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist. And it'll be sooo much more out of pocket to see one than a simple, generic antidepressant.

Good luck. I hope you get some relief soon. And no matter what, don't let someone add to your stress by letting them guilt you about taking an antidepressant while pregnant.