Pregnancy Depression

I fight depression, also. You have gotten some very sound advice on here. I think the single most important thing (for me ) it FORCING myself to do get out of the house. Swimming is fantastic when you're pregnant. (Really, I mean just being in the water.) If you can get to a pool, I highly recommend that. If you like (or can eat) jalapeños... eat 'em! Those get you endorphins firing!
Just remember everything has a seasons and you are not alone, Sister.

I think you should go in and talk about this with your OB. Yes, in the perfect world nobody would be on meds while pregnant. BUT the truth of the matter is that some women may need it. Ask your OB to help you weigh the pros and cons to being on meds while pregnant. That's a call you will have to make. I would highly recommend trying talk therapy (there are sliding fee clinics if you don't have insurance). Ask your OB for a list of therapists in the area or call your Primary Care Clinic. If you belong to a church, I am sure you could find some assistance by contacting them as well!

Good luck!

I have fought being depressed for the last several years and have used both Lexapro and Wellbutrin, counseling, etc. to help me get myself back to normal. In addition, I had an awesome (kidding) go-round with post-partum after my first was born. I talked to my OB and he felt it was important to deal with it sooner rather than later since it was almost a foregone conclusion that I'd battle post-partum depression after #2 was born. He opted to put me on Zoloft since it is considered perhaps the safest anti-depressant to take during pregnancy. I found that it helped smooth out my crazy hormonal pregnancy mood swings SO much. And after the baby was born I felt fantastic for the most part. I weaned myself off about 3 months after she was born and so far so good...she's 10.5 months old now. Anyway, talk to your doctor and see if maybe that's an option for you. Four months is a LONG time to wait and if you're depressed now you may be even worse after he/she is born. Believe me, PPD is horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Best of luck!

Your not whining it's perfectly normal to feel the way your feeling under the circumstance. Your situation sounds all too familiar. While I was pregnant(still working full time too) my husband was out of work. I too got really depressed which caused us to argue all the time etc. It was horrible. Like you said I couldn't even stand myself. I finally talked to my doctor and he put me on Zoloft. It really really helped me deal with all my mixed emotions etc and it was also safe to take during my pregnancy.

Take the older kids to the park. Breathing fresh air helps. When I was pregnant the second time I meditated because it was the one thing that brought me up out of the basement. I did about 20 minutes to half an hour.
Lots of meditation tapes exist and there are seminars even for free in many places. Go online and see what you find.
Even a prenatal yoga class would help and it's so you can have an easy delivery so it's for you and the baby. See if your county offers any or the local Y.
Ask you husband to vacuum as it is just one thing and it'll help to have clean floors.

You really need to talk to your doctor, have your blood check and then if everything is ok--start exercising. Even a 20 minute walk around the block will help and then increase the time each week. Exercising does help with depression symptoms. Talk to your husband and let him know that you are feeling terrible and you really need his help. You must help yourself before you can help others. Good luck and you will get through this.
Call your doctor TODAY

I also think you should talk to your doctor about Lexapro and pregnancy. I'm not exactly familiar with this drug but I think taking it while pregnant is really a risk/benefit decision...meaning there may be some risk (like I said, not sure you have to talk to your doc) but the risk of being depressed while pregnant with two other kids may be greater than the actual medical risks and maybe you should get back on it. You are not weak or less of a mom if you need meds. Also, you are pregnant. You are exhausted, your hormones are out of whack, and quite frankly if your husband is out of work he really needs to be stepping up to the plate and helping around the house a lot more. I'm sure the stress of him being out a job doesn't help your mental state either. Make an appointment with your doc ASAP and take your husband with you. He needs to hear what the doctor has to say and he needs to help you more and if you can't get through to him maybe the doctor will. Hang in there!!

First, you're not whining- you're being honest about how you are feeling.

Second, sometimes you have to change your behaviors to change your mindset. Essentially, you know that getting out of the house will help, but you just can't get yourself to do it... feels too overwhelming. Start small and go for a walk. I know it's freezing, but 10 mintues in the fresh air will make you feel a little refreshed. "Schedule" it each day and do it- whether you want to or not and eventually it will start to be something you look forward to.

Third, housework- make a list of what needs to get done "daily" "weekly" and "monthly". You may be surprised by how little is actually a "daily task"- laundry, dishes, make the beds, dinner, bathing.

One of the "hallmarks" of depression involves feeling overwhelmed by the most mundane and simple tasks. It seems like too much and you get discouraged before you start, so why bother! I'm a behaviorist, so I would say- "start and see what happens", "make things concrete, set a reasonable goal for the day", "change your behaviors and your mindset will change soon enough".

Start small and see how you feel!

** There are some anti-depressants that are considered "safe" during pregnancy. I'm not advocating meds, but if you are feeling like your children are not being cared-for the way you would like them to be, talk to your doctor and see!**

I am right there with you mama. I am due in May and have been having a terrible time with depression. I literally spent the past 2 weeks hysterically crying. It was so bad the other night that my hubby took the kiddos out to McDonald's so I could just cry and do what I had to do w/o trying to hide it from the kids.

I'm not trying to turn this into a post about me and my issues, but rather to let you know that you are not alone in this and from what I have read it is fairly common in pregnancy, especially when you already have other kids.

I have my next OB appt on Tues, and I plan on talking to my OB about it. I do not want to go on medication, but I am really concerned if this is going to turn into post partum depression.

Can you get out with a group of girlfriends? I know you said that funds are tight, but even to go grab a cup of coffee? I did that last night and it did me wonders. I was cooped up in the house for so long (I live in CT and we have been getting so much snow). I think it is a combination of cabin fever and pregnancy hormones. Today I feel much better!

I hope you can get some relief.

You aren't alone! I had a lot of these feelings during my second pregnancy as well. You should talk with your OB about the risks vs benefits of medication. Three different docs told me Zoloft was ok--my OB, a family practice, and a friend who's a womens and mothers psychiatric specialist.

If you decide this isn't a good option for you, I have a couple other ideas. My OB told me I need to ask for help before I felt desperate or overwhelmed. Easier said than done, but your family and friends *want* to help you because they love you! Maybe someone could watch the kids so you could get out of the house (or you and hubby, if you think that would cheer you up). I'd suggest you go for a long walk with music or a book if weather permits--sun would help a ton. Or if it's nasty out, the local library or bookstore. Grab a sunny window and browse while you try to relax.

Or maybe just sit at a friend or neighbors place with a cup of tea and enjoy the silence for awhile...

I can't let it go that hubby should do something to help while he's home. It will make him feel better to be useful, too. Talk with him (or make a list if he is more visual) about things that need to be done with the children and house. Ask him is he likes or doesn't mind any of these activities. Maybe you'll luck out and discover that he likes some chores you hate and you can ask him to do that. Awhile back my hubby and I discovered that he dislikes emptying the clean dishes and I really don't like filling the dishwasher--it worked out perfectly!

You've gotten good tips. I hope they help! Best of luck with all.

I don't know that I have any serious answers for you, but I want you to know you are not alone. I managed through my pregnancy without antidepressants, but it was hard. Don't beat yourself up, and you can take care of yourself in little ways that don't take lots of money. Meet a friend for just a soda and chat. Have a friend call and check in if there are times in the day that are harder for you. I am a goal setter, so I would set very kind goals for myself....such as "if I get two loads of laundry done (not necessarily folded and put away) and my children are well cared for, I have succeeded." and then maybe, "if I can get lunch cleaned up while little ones are napping" and just get basics done so it doesn't get too far out of control and make you feel worse...I know how hard it is to get out of the house and accomplish anything. I did find solace in reading, sometimes, or in just snuggling and reading to my little ones. Good luck.