Pre-PPD?

[PegasusOnFire]

Ok I am about 3-4 weeks from my due date and everything seems to over welm me. I cry about everything, and I mean everything. My OB wants to put me on anti-depresants after I deliver, so that I won't harm the baby. I am also scared that I might hurt my own child. This entire pregnancy has really put a strain on me emotionally. I feel that I can't get control over myself, and I have to remind myself to eat, that had never been a problem in the past, I love food.

Have any of you had these same things happen? I just feel like I am at the end of my rope.

 

[InTheFlame]

Pregnancy is a time of huge upheaval... as is just after the birth! It can cause a lot of stress, anxiety and, well, emotional messes..

First, you're not weird or abnormal. It IS a good idea to catch any problems like this as early as possible, so they can be dealt with. It's good to hear your doctor is involved and aware of the issue! I'm wondering though... one of the main things to remember is that pregnancy also highlights ANY problems in a person's life. I suspect this is so that they can be dealt with by the time bub's in the world.. or at least being dealt with! How's your support network? Are your family involved and interested? Do you have any relationships that have problems at the moment? Don't underestimate the power of upset relationships on your moods.

And I guess the other thing is... have you been worried about this pregnancy? Anxious? Stressed that you'll do something wrong and it'll affect the baby? This sort of thing, hard though it is to avoid, can really make things tough...

Anyway, I just wanted to reiterate... YOU'RE NOT WEIRD. Plenty of people go through this sort of thing. It's nothing to be ashamed of In fact, I'll probably be much the same when I get to your condition (God willing). Making a bit more effort (who here REALLY makes enough of an effort?) to read the bible, pray about your concerns and problems, and maybe sing a few praise songs might help. I'm not saying your issue is a simple lack of faith but I think more of a focus on God can help almost any situation...

 

[Melbelle]

I had ppd after my pregnancy, probley during my pregnancy and didn't really know it, my advise to you would be get the help that is offer to you asap, anti-deperssants isn't a bad thing and they do not make you weaker as a person, its for you and your babies safty. During my ppd, I couldn't give my son a bath, I was afraid I might drowned him, I cried, I was never happy, I screamed at Seth when he wouldn't sleep, I shuck him a bit not too hard but enough for my husband to snatch him out of my arms and call his mother inlaw, she was on the phone with me and I told her she needed to put out and mind her own _____ businesses, this doesn't consern her, she told me that I needed to watch my tone with her, and that it is her business cus thats her grandbaby. After all that I desided to go search on the net for sympots of PPD, and I took a test and bam, I scored off the charts, I had a very very horriable case of it, I was not just harmfull thoughts of my baby but to myself, my husband had to sit in the bathroom when I wanted to shave my legs, but after my mother inlaw rid my test results she new why I reacted the way I did over the phone and appoligized to me, my mil is a nurse btw. She made me call and make an appt. with my doc, and she sent me to a psycatric word, not because she thought I was nuts, but because my situation was beyond her experance. But I got the help I needed and now I'm clean of it, I'm just afraid of having anymore kids. The sooner you get help the better off you will be, you don't want to end up like the "Yates" case, and end up in jail for something crazy, knowbody will think your crazy, they will help you. If your doc wants you on anti-deperssants, don't be ashamed just take them, you will feel better and will beable to cope.

 

[ysl_75]

I hope God will bless you and your baby...eventhough I dont have the experience in pregancy...

 

[madison1101]

I had PPD when I had my first baby. My husband didn't let me get help then. He just made fun of me.

If your doctor recommends the anti-depressants, then I would take them. It will help you tremendously. It doesn't mean you are bad or defective. It just means you have a problem and you are doing something to help it get better.

Hugs,
Madison

 

[erin74]

I nearly got diagnosed with PND after my first child, but I understand that current statistics show that depression in pregnancy is even more common than post natal depression.
A friend of mine got really bad PND with her first, and went on medication. When she was pregnant with her 2nd, she felt it coming on again. Her doctor put her straight on meds, even though she was pregnant. His thinking was that the depression was actually worse for the pregnancy than the meds are. They do take about 6-8 weeks to kick in, so the sooner you can get on them the better. It's interesting that so many women trigger depression when they are pregnant, or post natal. Just remember this is an illness, for which you may or may not have been predisposed. That does not make you a freak. That makes you someone who is experiencing symptoms of an illness that needs treating. Meds are usually the best way, and they equip you to deal with any other issue that may be contributing to your depression.

Don't be scared to be treated. This is an incredibly common illness. I know so many women who have had it. It usually does go away. For many women it is only when they are pregnant or soon after that they have the problem. For lots it is only for one pregnancy too. The thing is that once you have had it once and are treated you are far more likely to recognise the symptoms if it recurs, and so can seek treatment straight away. That way it is usually less severe the next time around. Like any illness of course there are many variations. But you are not the illness, and the illness is not you. Get treatment - ask your doctor if you can start now, rather than waiting.

You might need to look into whether you can breastfeed on meds. I know my friend didn't, but that may be the kind she was on, or may be some other reason entirely (although she did say it was the meds).

I pray that this gets better for you soon.

Erin

 

[~Nikki~]

Praying for you...

 

[PegasusOnFire]

Thanks guys for your kind words to me. I am now on Lexapro, and baby is not haveing a good go at the meds, she has slowed down quite a bit, but I am being monitored now. I have had 3 non-stress tests, the first one she passed but the last two she failed, so I was sent for a diagnostic ultrasound which she passed with a score of 8/10, she lost 2 points because of the NST. I am feeling a bit better now that the meds are starting to work, and baby has been more active today, so I think she is also finally adjusting to the meds.

 

[Neenie1]

With my first child I had mild PND. It is very real, and it is not something to pretend doesn't happen.

I am glad you are getting the help you need.

I am feeling overwhelmed with the whole mummy thing again, although just in a different way. First time around it was over everything. This time around I know that I can handle the sleepless nights (I did it before right and still here) I can get through the breastfeeding and all that, but this time around I am anxious about the birth and coping with 2 kids. So I know how you feel about feeling overwhelmed and crying all the time. I'm doing it too.

 

[katelyn]

Only one week till your due date! How are you doing?

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I am doing better, though not all that well put together. Just waiting for the baby to come now. My husband is getting even more impatient with each passing day, so that doesn't help much either.