Raising awareness for Prenatal Depression

[mumtobrandon]

I haven't been diagnosed with pnd, but have a therapist for existing depression, who I have been on the waiting list for ages. Before getting pregnant, I was coping...I had my meds, nice weekends out where I would get rather drunk and just forget about any rubbish that had happened during the week, I had my gym which I went to almost everyday and generally was in a fairly good place. On finding out about my 'surprise' pregnancy-which I am, believe it or not, very happy about, I have sunk right back down again and my ocd is taking over...I am irritable, and constantly on edge about everything.
Given I have a health concern with this pregnancy, 2 in fact (hepatitis b and possible weakened cervix) and I am just so worried I am going to cock it all up like I do most things in life. I can't look at the positives like my therapist keeps asking me to do because the negatives are so overwhelming. I am deeply paranoid and posted a thread about my hepatitis on here yesterday which quite a few people read but no one replied to and it made me feel like they were all laughing at me and thinking i am pathetic but I am in such a dark place. I would do anything to protect my unborn child, yet I am feeling suicidal frequently and I just can't shake this feeling. : (

 

[Dopeyjopey]

Hi everyone

I can completely understand all of the posts on here. I have bi polar so chances are my depression is linked to that, but is exacerbated by not taking my medication since I discovered I was pregnant.

Whilst I was with FOB I was really embarrassed about being pregnant as we had only been together for a month before getting a BFP. Then everyone started saying about how excited I must be and I felt terrible that I wasn't. Even now I'm proud to be pregnant, I well up at someone asking me if I'm looking forward to it because I feel like I should be more than I am. I'm scared I won't be able to love LO or that LO won't love me. I am also starting to obsess about something going wrong and it all being my fault because I sometimes feel like I don't want a baby (even though I do).

I'm just hoping that going through all this now will reduce the likelihood of me developing the post-partum psychosis that all the health professionals seem to think I will get!

 

[threeplus]

I am new to this forum and just found this thread

Not sure if I have it or not as when I went to the consultant today she dismissed it, I keep getting palpitations, tingling down the arms, shortness of breathe and sweaty palms! are these symptoms?

Thanks

 

[Dopeyjopey]

I am new to this forum and just found this thread

Not sure if I have it or not as when I went to the consultant today she dismissed it, I keep getting palpitations, tingling down the arms, shortness of breathe and sweaty palms! are these symptoms?

Thanks

Sounds like the start of an anxiety attack to me. I was prescribed beta blockers pre-pg but can't take them now, but I find 'mind over matter' works better! Best thing that works for me when I get one is to breathe right...

Breathe in through your nose for a swift count of seven (not seconds!)
Breathe out through your mouth for a swift count of eleven

Concentrate on your breathing which should then stop the palpitations and tingling. There are also a couple of other methods that I find to be effective, if you would like to know any more feel free to PM x

 

[lily123]

Yes threeplus it definitely sounds like the beginning of an anxiety/panick attack. I get these and was also prescribed beta blockers pre-preg. I find what helps me now is getting somewhere very small and contained. I don't know why but i find it calms me down when i'm in a tiny room or space such as a bathroom or even a toilet cubicle! I've been told thats quite strange behaviour lol and usually people like to be in a large space, but not me

xxx

 

[Dopeyjopey]

Yes threeplus it definitely sounds like the beginning of an anxiety/panick attack. I get these and was also prescribed beta blockers pre-preg. I find what helps me now is getting somewhere very small and contained. I don't know why but i find it calms me down when i'm in a tiny room or space such as a bathroom or even a toilet cubicle! I've been told thats quite strange behaviour lol and usually people like to be in a large space, but not me

xxx

You're the opposite to me I have to find an open space but close my eyes! x

 

[hayzeb]

Thanks for posting this. I too have been suffering prenatel depression . I have been put onto antideppressants because I was starting to not look after myself very well, eating and sleeping had become difficult.

This is my 4th baby and I have never experienced PREnatal depression before. I have had POSTnatel though.

Hayley xx

 

[Heavenx]

I am new to this forum and just found this thread

Not sure if I have it or not as when I went to the consultant today she dismissed it, I keep getting palpitations, tingling down the arms, shortness of breathe and sweaty palms! are these symptoms?

Thanks

Hi as the other girls have said it does sound like anxiety/panic attacks that you're experiencing, I too was prescribed beta-blockers before pregnancy but to be honest I'm not sure they actually helped, I think in my case they acted more as a placebo.
You can buy a natural remedy from Holland and Barretts called Bachs rememdies, the specific oil for anxiety is called 'Aspen', but check first that it's OK to use during pregnancy if it is then you simply put a couple of drops on your tounge or mix with aglass of water.
You can also try breathing into a paper bag when you're actually having an anxiety/panic attack this will help with your breathing to calm you down.

 

[Heavenx]

Hi Ladies, I have been attending a support group with other pregnant ladies, we each have our own reasons for being there (but all experiencing prenatal depression) and listening to others and realising that my deep, dark, terrifying thoughts are also someone elses really helps me to know that I'm not alone, I'm not going mad, that it's ok to have these thoughts and feelings. I feel better after ech appointment (which is weekly) by listening to these other ladies and speaking up about how I feel too. So if any of you are offerred to be referred to a support group/network then as daunting as it may seem, please give it a try

 

[mumtobrandon]

Hi, I have been offered antenatal support for my depression. I have regular therapist but this one is actually for pregnant women. Problem is, if I say some of the things I have been feeling I worry that social services would get involved even though I am so protective over my son and only slapped him on the bum a few times in four (nearly five years) and each time felt so so guilty as I feel cruel doing it. Because of this my son gets away with a fair bit, but as long as he doesn't upset anyone I don't really care, he is however, very sensitive like me and is the one that comforts ME when I am really down, and it shouldn't be that way. I am worried social services may think he is exposed to my emotional state too much. I try to hide it but it's impossible : (
During this pregnancy I have been inconsolable at times and did something rather silly at the weekend (cut my arms) which I used to do regularly before becoming pregnant but had managed to stop for the last 3 months. I have an antenatal appointment tomorrow and am so scared as to what they will say or who they may contact.
How do you ladies cope without your meds?? because I am struggling to say the least.
Thank you for reading x

 

[mummof2]

Hi everyone - I have just found this thread - I have never felt so depressed in my life - I am 27 weeks pregnant with twins and there are severe health issues regarding one of the twins. I am so down that I don't know what to do - I am seeing a psychiatrist for depression that I had before I was expecting but it was never this bad. I feel that I am not able to cope - especially with the prospect of having a baby with health problems. I have found comfort in reading this thread as I now know I am not alone in suffering.

 

[Heavenx]

Hi everyone - I have just found this thread - I have never felt so depressed in my life - I am 27 weeks pregnant with twins and there are severe health issues regarding one of the twins. I am so down that I don't know what to do - I am seeing a psychiatrist for depression that I had before I was expecting but it was never this bad. I feel that I am not able to cope - especially with the prospect of having a baby with health problems. I have found comfort in reading this thread as I now know I am not alone in suffering.

Sorry to read that one of your unborn twins has health problems, this would be worrying for any mother to be but if you've already been experiencing depression before pregnancy then this kind of news will clearly impact the level of depession and anxiety you feel. It's good that you are seeing a psychiatrist, is he or she able to touch on and help you with regards to the prenatal depression you're now feeling? Is there possibly and antenatal group that you could join? I have found that group counselling with other pregnant women has really helped me.
Have you got a supportive OH and friends/family around you?

x