Depression in Pregnancy

[Crissyanna]

I've been dealing with depression now for a while. I thought I had it pretty much under control until this week (dealt with it for quite a bit of my life and had a very bad episode after the m/c in Sept for a few months.). I have a few decent days, and then I go through a period of time when it is bad. It got bad again this weekend and came up really bad last night (the worst I've been since Christmas). Has anyone else dealt with depression during pregnancy? If so, what did you do? I was trying to handle it with counseling (still going but down to every other week to every three weeks) and a more natural approach using vitamins (mainly the B complexes). I try to get out and walk, but it is just too hot. I know I need to get a better handle on this before Dainyah comes. I don't think I can handle post-partum depression. And from what I've read, I guess I have a better than average chance of getting a nasty case of it. I am thinking of setting up a dr's appt. at the family dr's when Hubby goes for some lab work next Wed. As a preventative for in case I have to go to a script for depression meds. But if that is the route that I end up having to take, then I want to hold it off as long as possible because I don't know what they will do while being preggo or b/f. Any suggestions, advice or anything would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Crystal

[Godzgirl]

When i was first pregnant i went to a friend who analyzes blood.
She noticed that i had depression crystals so she recommended a supplelment called Adrenal plus. It's suppose to help with those in a stressful environment. Any local health food store should have it or where nutrional items are sold like a GNC. Or you could get it online where i got it www.superphhealth.com.

[breezykc]

I'm a mental health professional....I would reccomend NOT filling the script unless totally needed due to possible side effects, although the percentages can be low, if you're that few percent, the effects can be devestating long term to your baby! ...But then by all means, have the script available to fill right after delivery and that can help perk you back up when it's safe for your little one.
I reccomend a good laugh! A funny movie, hilarious book read out loud to you by your hubby, something to get you side splitting fun while forgetting everything else for awhile! The endorphins released really do amazing things for the spirit!
Get out in the sun some and the vitamins and fresh air help raise spirits too! Go with help though so it's not stressful with any little kids though!

[Crissyanna]

Thanks. I wasn't going to ask for a script until after delivery. I react oddly to normal meds, I dread what I could end up reacting on in the line of a/d's. (A simply advil makes me pretty hyper, and benedryl makes me sleep for at least nine hours, then when I wake up, I can not function at all for another 24). I just thought it might be a good idea to get in at the famiily dr's so I am then an "established" patient (I have never been an established patient anywhere but the midwife's) and that could cut down on hassle later. However I don't know if it would be safe to nurse the baby if I am on them. I truly want to nurse (we can't afford formula, and I really don't like the stuff, JMO)

I truly want a/d's to be my absolutely last resort. I hate the thought of ending up dependant on them. I know that people have used them successfully and have been able to get off them when the time was right. I just don't know if they are for me. It is a hard decision to make. And I guess it might be easier to make that decision now than later if I end up worse or something.

The dryer just buzzed. I need to get the laundry folded and put up.

Crystal

[Bekah]

Hey... I just wanted to you to know I will be praying for you and I will reply more when I have some time... right now the bed is calling my name!!

Just know that you aren't alone in this!!

Crystal

I've delt with depression before but not during pregnancy - my cousins son and step daughter drowned 3 years ago and I was diagnosed with "reactive depression" (not clinical). I went on anti depressants until I felt the time was right for God to lead me out of my "wilderness" (which he did).

Do talk to your doctor certainly, there is no sense carrying stuff you don't have to. Is there anyone at church you trust to pray for you? I am only asking because someone laid hands on me for the illness and if you ever need to talk I am always here!.

aussie Mum

[Crissyanna]

AussieMum, I don't know many people at church. I am the shy quiet one who keeps to herself (I have a quiter nature). I hate going up front and being the center of attention. There are probably a few people I could go to, but I don't know.

Mine has been reactive so long, I think it may have turned clinical (long story, let's leave it that I came from a dysfunctional family with many varieties of abuse and have to work through tons of that yet, along with tons of other things at the moment). I researched meds, pregnancy and b/f last night. Hubby said that he was expecting me to do that soon (I have to research everything). Some days are better than others. So far, today started rough, but it has gotten better. Hubby and I did decide to up my B vitamins on Wed. night while we were talking. Started that last night. The B complex sure does smell horribly. He was like, I don't care what it costs, we are getting you a bottle to see if that helps since the multi-vitamins don't seem to have enough in them for you right now.

I am sure the raging hormones aren't any help either.

I hadn't been this bad in a long while. Guess we may have to go back to weekly sessions for a bit. Our next appt. is next Wed. and we'll see then. This sure shall be one intersting appt.

Thanks girls. I just thought I was finally totally losing it. It is nice to be able to seek help and stuff here without being judged for it. I know of forums where I would be.

Crystal

anytime chook!!! and I understand where you are coming from with everything else also, things from the past can all add up on top of you, or you can think they are forgotten until something sets them off again.

Hey I don't like going up the front for prayer either, usually I will call someone (and I have very few people too!!!). You have here and people to pray for you although !!!

Praying for you

Much love Aussie Mum

[breezykc]

Definatly check with your Doc! They've come out with new meds and I know friends who took them while breastfeeding, so ask if there are some safe ones you could try if you still think you need them then! Talk to someone you trust and ask them to be your prayer warrior and help you through!

[NZMummy]

Hi Crystal! You are definately not alone. I also had a history of depression before I got pregnant. During my first pregnancy (my son is now 2 years old) I found that I did get depression and major anxiety problems. It must have been the pregnancy hormones, because the depression and anxiety disappeared very suddenly once baby was born. So, be reassured that it does not necessarily follow that you will continue to struggle with it after the birth. Unfortunately, I never found a satisfactory way to deal with the depression during pregnancy, because my midwife didn't take it very seriously when approached about it (she thought it best to ignore it :roll: ). I don't think that I would be comfortable taking antidepressants during pregnancy (although there are some that are considered safe to take during pregnancy if absolutely necessary) - for me the most helpful thing is finding someone close who is sympathetic and willing to listen when you need to talk. I am now 20 weeks pregnant with my second child - and have not had the same problems this time (apart from the normal hormonal ups and downs). I had been concerned that it would be just the same as last time - but I was determined to deal with it better knowing that it could happen. So, it is true that your body can react quite differently to every pregnancy. Hang in there. I know how awful it can feel. I am saying a prayer for you.

[Crissyanna]

My midwife is a moron, IMO (I know that sounds bad, which is why I am thinking about seeing the family dr.). She pretty much dismissed my extreme constipation for two months. Then tried me on prenatals with a stool softener in them for three weeks, promising me they would help, they didn't. So, I started a routine of eating a very high fiber cereal every morning. She told me to quit doing that because it would make it worse?!?!?!?!?!!? I didn't listen to her, and low and behold, it worked. I did some reading on a/d's and pregnancy and I can't risk the possible side affects on Dainyah, no matter how small they are. One of them is a form of pulmonary hypertension. My dad has that, and so we might be predisposed to it, so I will not do anything to make the chance of her getting it greater.

I see the counselor on Wed again. We'll see what he says.

I need to get going and clean the house. I need to do something productive today.

Crystal

[KansasMom]

Crissyanna - I will be praying for you. That the Lord will make your ways clear and protect you and your baby. I will be praying that the Lord will remove the cloud of Depression from you and set you free from it! Please know you are being held up before God!

Melanie

[Crissyanna]

Thanks everyone. Hubby and I have talked quite a bit about this latest bout of depression. He is at least more objective to it than I am. He did agree this is the worst relapse since Christmas (Christmas day was actually the three month anniversary of the day we lost Avery, so that really set me off), but that I am not as bad as I was before the counseling started. I tend to disagree with that one, but at least this time I didn't try to repress it and I was able to cry (long story, don't feel like going in to the details here. Doubt anyone really wants to know anyway) and tell him what I was thinking and even to an extent feeling. We decided to up my B vitamin intake. I told him last night I didn't like having to take the extra pills. He was like, we could try to eat more things with higher concentrations of B vitamins in them, but for now, until I can research exactly what all that will entail, we are using the pills. He hesitated to say they were necessary as I hate the thought of having to take them, but there is a noticeable difference in me with or without them. He did say we should mention this to the midwife, and I reminded him of having the constipation brushed off for two months. He was like, you have a point. So, I will tell her at the next appointment, and I am prepared for the brush off and the excuse of hormones (which I am sure isn't helping matters. I am transitioning into third trimester). And he also agreed that we should set me up with the family dr. before the baby is born, for this too. Hubby did agree that I should try everything besides a/d's possible while pregnant, unless I get like I was last fall again (I got suicidal about a month after the miscarriage). He said he wouldn't risk losing both of us in a case like that.

So, we shall see what we shall see. My family doesn't know about any of this, and his mom only knows that he has been taking me to a counselor. She doesn't know the extent of it. There really isn't many people I can talk to over these kinds of matters. My family helped get me where I am and they don't believe in counseilng anyway. If they ever find out, I don't know what would happen. I just know it wouldn't be good.

Thanks everyone. I do appreciate all the support here.

Crystal

[Crissyanna]

Well, the counselor took it all in stride. Said that I had what is termed a "slip." That it wasn't as bad as I was before, and each episode should get shorter, less dark and farther apart. Hubby was like, yep. (he's been there too long ago). Hubby was like, I would have told you this, but I don't think you wanted to hear that from me, so I let Bob tell you. Bob was also like, when you are in these slips, you can't see the other side, or how far you've come. At the time, it is the worst yet. However, when you get out of it, you'll see. I also told him I thought I was so bad that I started to research meds. (He asked me at the beging of couseling months ago if I was open to them, and I told him then that I had never thought of it. At that point, I hadn't. Have never been too keen on the idea of taking them since I hate taking meds of any form any way. It is all I can do to take the prenatals). His eyebrows shot up in surprise and he said that in his professional opinion, I wasn't at a point where I needed them. I am handling things better than when we started, I am communicating more and letting myself feel stuff (one reason I ended up in counseling was repression) and that at this point, meds would not do what they are designed to do.

The past few days have been quite a bit better. I still have moments, but they aren't as bad. Guess this round is clearing up. Of course, there is no guarantee that it isn't going to come back, or when or how bad, but, somehow, I'll muddle through.

Thanks you all. I appreicate it.

Crystal

Glad to hear that Crystal - even if you do have some "black curtain time" (that's what I call it).

Praying that these times will disappear all together, as this is definately not God's plan or will for your life :wink:

xox Aussie Mum