Depression During Pregnancy

If you're working and your company has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), you might try calling them. They can usually assist you with counseling over the phone and also referrals to mental health specialists. I strongly suggest finding a mental health professional who specializes in helping mothers. Find someone you feel you can work with for the rest of your pregnancy and beyond. They need to be part of your support system, which someone else mentioned in a previous post.

***Make sure you have people around who can help you and who can be there for you for the first few weeks after the baby is born.***

There are more of us who dealt with depression during pregnancy than you might realize. Hopefully, you can also take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.

Go to your OBGYN TODAY!!!! Don't wait. It's not going to get better on it's own before you need it to. There is medication you can take while still pregnant and if you get started now you will feel better before you deliver. Please go get help immediatly. Don't wait. I waited too long and suffered for no reason. Call your doc today.

First off, you are not the only one! Taking antidepressants when you are pregnant is possible, but you have to talk to you doc. I guess it's a choice to take them. I was the same way and chose not to take them but now I am as I was always prone to depression through the years. I am nursing my 7 month old and I chose to take the antidepressant recommended for pregnancy and lactation. For the sake of my family and my baby, I need to be well. It has been a tremendous help! I got my old self back and my baby doesn't seem affected by the meds. I read about sleep problems or crankyness but my baby is happy and healthy. Also at 8 months, you are almost done so hang in there. I would watch for Post Partum Depression and then definetely get help...Remember, you don't have to feel this way! Talk to your close family and friends and keep them close. They are the best therapy!

M.,
I suffered depression through the majority of my pregnancy w/my daughter. Her father's 'antics' nearly cost my unborn daughter her life many times. It developed into a very difficult pregnancy for me - and I was at the OB/GYN office every couple of weeks, or so, because of it. I wasn't suffering from Braxton-Hicks contractions - I was having actual contractions - and her father was the root cause.
To this day, I still thank God (everyday) for the OB/GYN I had. He really helped me, by listening to me, about my suspicions of having Post Partum Depression. Turned out it wasn't PPD I was suffering from... It was depression during my pregnancy caused by the antics and bullsh*t my daughter's father was pulling throughout the pregnancy. The OB/GYN put me on Prozac for about 3 months. When that didn't work, he told me I should seek counseling from a psychologist. The psychologist really helped me.
So, my advice to you M., is to speak w/your OB/GYN to find out if s/he recommends you seek counseling. More than likely, the OB/GYN will suggest that you wait until after the baby is born (usually after the first 6 wks). Good luck, and please let us know how things worked out for you.

Hi!
I have suffered depression most of my life and was on medicine for it. I went off of it when I got pregnant, this is my 2nd pregnancy. My first one was a smooth happy pregnancy, but this one has been very difficult with many, many symptoms and it has been really tough on me. I'm also taking care of my 2 1/2 year old through it all. During this pregnancy my depression has been SO bad. It has been horrible. Every day I am crying, I have no motivation, I have felt very very low. My husband doesn't understand much and he's no help at all. I feel very alone and very down. I was also wondering if other people get depressed much during pregnancy and how to handle it. I am 33 weeks along now...

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.
I find excersise the best antidepressant there is. It's probably difficult to do 8 months pregnant, but even walking is great excersise. You must talk to your doctor first, and immediatly. And utilize all your support with family, friends, relatives, church groups, etc.
Remember, you have another life to focus on and care for, and if he left, your life will move onward and upward, and it will get better. Just focus on yourself and your baby.
Best wishes.