Depression

[angelsgirl]

Is it a common thing for women to get depressed during pregnancy???

More so than during "normal" (not pregnant) life?

If you do get depressed during "normal" life, is it more likely you will suffer from it during pregnancy?

 

[jgonz]

If a woman in prone to depression, then she is going to still be prone to it during pregnancy, And, she'll be More apt to get PPD after the baby is born.

I wouldn't say it's "common" for women to get depressed during pregnancy, but we sure do go through a LOT of changes... emotional, mental, physical, & hormonal.... which can mess a person up.

Staying active during pregnancy, making sure you're eating properly (get those good fats! fish oils, Virgin Coconut Oil...), drinking lots of water... these can all help Immensely with attitude and staying on top of emotional stuff.

If you do all these things and still are feeling depressed, please talk to your caregiver about it. If he/she doesn't listen, then go to another caregiver who will. Depression during pregnancy isn't as well known as PPD is, so a lot of caregivers don't know what to do about it. However, if it gets bad enough, there Are herbs or prescription meds that you can take during pregnancy (and nursing).

 

[Called2Grace]

I suffer from depression, I am currently taking an antidepressant. I will probably have to cease it a couple of weeks before the birth, but I will definately need something once the baby comes, although I am planning to breastfeed this time so I'm not sure how that will work....

But I already know that I can't cope without something for at least the first 6 weeks. Sleep deprivation and stress and all the other things that happen in the first 6 weeks really wreak havoc on me. I'm just hoping that a little bit more knowledge this time around, and some preperations will help.

And I would love to eat well now, as I also am hyperthyroid and have pernicious aneamea, but I can't stomach much accept for lemon iceblocks and some stone fruit....most red meat is out, and BBQ sauce seems to also be out, except that I really want BBQ chicken wings from eagle boys pizza.......mmmmmmmm

 

[HDoggie19]

I'm not sure about pregnancy and depression. But I quit my Lexapro cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. I didn't want to take the drugs. But then, the whole first trimester, I was miserable. I couldn't function at all, because my depression came back full force, as did my anxiety disorders. My doctor prescribed Zoloft. I'm a firm believer that if you need the medication, then you should take it. The benefits outweighed the risk, in my case.

 

[Beth1231]

I got mildly depressed towards the very end. And it was definitely because I was teaching preschool till week 39.

It came back in full force when I started teaching again when she was nearly 3 months old.

Definitely, DEFINITELY talk to your caregiver if you are already experiencing depression. PPD was just a hop and a skip away for me.

 

[jgonz]

although I am planning to breastfeed this time so I'm not sure how that will work....

There are a couple of anti-depressants that are safe to take while breastfeeding. Don't be afraid to take something if you need to.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I was diagnosed with Antepartum depression when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.

 

[stacii]

I'm scheduled to have my C-section next Friday and have taken Zoloft the entire time. I suffered from some anxiety prior to pregnancy, and things just got out of hand when I tried to come off of the medicine.

Women who experienced mood disorders prior to pregnancy are at an increased risk to have them during and after pregnancy. Also, most women find that a dose increase will be needed around the beginning of the third trimester to maintain the same level of therapeutic benefits. Research also shows that the sudden drop in progesterone prior to labor can cause an increase in depressed mood, so my OB told me to absolutely continue taking my regular dose through pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding.

I know I haven't had the baby yet, but so far all tests are showing that he is perfect. Few people realize that depression is the single most common complication during pregnancy. Also, if left untreated, depression during pregnancy can turn into severe PPD afterward. But it doesn't have to happen that way! As at any time, depression during pregnancy is treatable. Don't suffer longer than you have to.

 

[jgonz]

With my last baby (now 5.5 yrs old) it was the crazy hormonal fluctuations that threw me into PPD. I just couldn't get on top of it myself though, so I went to see a naturopathic doctor. He gave me some suggestions, and I tried Virgin Coconut Oil. I Definately didn't have enough of the good fats in my diet, which was throwing off my thryoid, which was throwing off my hormone production... So taking the VCO was a Huge help right away. Within 3 weeks of taking it all my PPD symptoms were gone and I felt better than I had in a very long time.

This wouldn't be the cure-all answer for every woman, however from what I've read, we tend to eat low-fat foods which is literally robbing our bodies of necessary nutrition. I didn't gain 1 pound on the VCO (and have in fact continued to take it all this time, and now through this pregnancy too. It's the only thing that's keeping me from being scared to death that I'll have to deal with PPD again...)

I'm just bringing this up to encourage all of us to look at our diets and make SURE to get plenty of good fats. It's not only good for us, it's also good for our babies~ who need the fats for proper brain growth.

HTH~