eating disorders,depression and pregnancy

[jen1604]

hey.
im 29 weeks pregnant with my first and absolutely thrilled.Before I was pregnant I had bulimia and I suffer from depression. Up until now I'd been doing ok but I've started feeling really unhappy about things.I don't know if its the hormonal changes but I just feel really miserable and insecure about my body.I don't get why everyone thinks its ok to make your body and how big you are just because youre pregnant.Just wondering if anyone else has been through this or has any advice...

 

[Uvlollypop]

i suffer from pretty bad depression and had to come off my meds to get pregnant i think the key is just keep talking to anyone who will listen and remember that everything you do to your body effects the baby in your belly.....

maybe go talk to your docs too.

am here if i can help

 

[tinytoes]

speak with your doc and friends. turn to as many people as you need. mostly dont try and be ahero and cope on your own. thats what i'd say.
i get people commenting on my size a lot, and i get a little put out by it and i've never had an eating disorder so i can only imagine how it must make you feel..
but most of all dont let it get to the stage where your disorder could take hold again - you have to seek help as much as you can before then. XOu know that though i'm sure, thats why you're here.

mostly my advice to you regarding the comments would be to think "i'm big?? HelOOOO I'm pregnant you fool"

 

[jen1604]

i'm seeing my psychiatrist next week..just finding it hard to get through the days if you know what I mean.I feel bad that I'm not finding pregnancy the incredible beautiful journey its meant to be.
I hope your early scan goes well...I remember how nerve wracking that is..x

 

[Ragirl]

I'm a psychologist, and here are my thoughts. First of all, while I do not believe medication is the first route you should try, it shouldn't be ruled out either. If the depression becomes so bad that you begin having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby- whether that be through a return of your eating disorder or suicide- then by all means, medication is far better than suffering. But if it all still feels manageable, there are non-medication things you can try first. Studies are starting to show a link between all mood disorders and poor nutrition. The Omega 3's & 6's most especially- try eating more fish, walnuts, etc to boost your levels of these. Exercise and early morning sunlight are great mood enhancers. Are you sleeping okay...because we all know poor sleep can push our mood into the crapper. If you aren't try to improve that as well. Vit. B-6 & B-12 can help with sleep. I also use a lavendar pillow spray and hot steam humidifier which have greatly improved my sleep. It's also important to address any issues which may be leading you to be depressed. I'm a psychologist and I still need to see another psychologist who specializes in pregnancy/birth issues to deal with some stuff. So don't be afraid to find a psychologist/counselor/social worker and meet with them frequently just to help support you through all this. I know the image is put out there that pregnancy should be this beautiful, wonderful, natural thing, and in some ways it is, but it certainly has not lived up to my fantasy with either of my pregnancies. So don't feel guilty about that...it's normal to not always be happy about all these changes. Not to mention, pregnancy and the upcoming changes baby will make to your world really have the potential to bring up issues that maybe we have buried. Hang in there- you aren't alone. Good idea to talk to the psychiatrist. Good luck!!

 

[Torialou]

I was on medication for depression before I became pregnant, and also see a counsellor each week...things were getting really bad a month or 2 back and eventually I talked to my MW about it as well, and she's been really supportive and helpful, and put me in touch with the CMHT here and I'm now seeing a CPN, who specialises in dealing with pregnant women who are experiencing mental health difficulties. As scary as it is/was asking for help, without it I would have gotten worse. Not sure what else to say...If you want to chat, drop me a PM x

 

[Carley]

I'm a recovering bulimic, I know the problems you face here. The feeling of being out of control, the body changes, the weight gain. Look at this time for a positive change, a new start. For you and your baby.

 

[codiontour]

i had bulemia and anorexia before becoming pregnant and i mostly turned it in to healthy exercising while i was TTC. i also just imagine the drive i will have to get fit again after the baby is here, i think, as long as i eat sensibly now, how much damage can i REALLY do in 9 months (as far as getting fat). it won't be that hard to take it off afterward. and if you breastfeed it burns 5 or 600 cals a day (like running 5 or 6 miles) and thats a BUNCH!

im just thinking realistically from the mindset that i had/have. you cant change your body image over night. this is temporary and soon your body will be only yours again, but while you (we) share it. we MUST eat enough for the baby to be healthy.

 

[jen1604]

hi.thank you all so much for replying,it is so good to actually hear from people who are going through this..before now i was kind of feeling like i was the only one.Ragirl,as for sleeping ok,I'm really not but my midwife said it was just normal to never be able to sleep when you're pregnant but I'll definitely be taking your advice.
Thank you all again so much xx

 

[bellazucca]

You are beautiful and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You were given an amazing gift to carry a child and pregnant bellies are gorgeous!!! I would try Ragirl's suggestions and hang in there. We are all here for you

 

[mBLACK]

I suffered from both anorexia and bulemia before I got pregnant too, and let me tell you one thing it's not easy but.. Being full figured is a beautiful thing! Whatever you do don't try to count calories, or watch your eating habits while pregnant, doing that can cause the baby to have severe malnutrition, and suffer from many things including death.
Eat when you're hungry, eat until you're full, and eat healthy!

P.S. What you may be suffering from is called 'pre-natal depression'. It occurs in about 25% of all pregnant women and is actually more common than post-partum depression although it is very seldom acknowledged, and you should talk to your doctor about this because it's a very hard thing to deal with.

 

[nikky0907]

Didn't have an eating disorder but I had issues with being overly thin,mostly due to heavy practises and I still have some problems because of it(in my head) and very bad eating habits.I sometimes go through days without eating anything...
When I was younger I did it because of control but today I do it because of the habit,although I'm in much better condition and I don't worry myself over it anymore...

I think of the pregnancy as a way of starting over body-wise.Doing something that is natural for it,hosting a human being in it.A beautiful full figure and a beautiful bump are a wonderful thing to see.
There is a saying: Real women have curves...

Maybe your depression had a little deaper side.Try talking to your midwife about it.

 

[Uvlollypop]

i havent heard from you for a while are you ok?

 

[Carley]

I hope you are okay!