Depression During Pregnancy.. - Borger,TX

I have this currently- this last week was really bad!!!! My dad sent me some vitamins- ones that contain a ton of Vitamin B12- I have googled it and asked my doc- it turns out that a lot of pregnant women are actually not getting enough of this vitamin and since it is water soluble(sp?) that you can't overdose on it- your body will use all it needs and flush the rest through your system- unlike other vitamins(like vitamin A) which are fat soluble(sp?) and are stored in your body- so you can overload on those.
Talk to your doc about that to see if it will help- it has helped me a ton!
~C.

I personally have not struggled with this during my pregnancies, but I've had a couple of patients that have. We used Omega-3's to help ease and completely combat the symptoms. With high quality (not from Costco which is usually rancid), Omega-3 supplementation it will help boost the production of important neurotransmitters that modulate mood like serotonin and dopamine. While you are pregnant it is widely known now that the baby takes in Omega-3's from the mom, especially in the first trimester when the nervous system is forming. If you weren't taking adequate amounts of Omega-3's before pregnancy you most likely didn't have enough to spare for a child AND have enough left over for you own mental and cellular health. My best recommendation is to take Standard Process Omega's (you can only get from a practitioner: check for one near you at www.standardprocess.com) at double the daily dose until you notice that your symptoms are starting to ease.
If you are on prescription Omega's you may want to talk to your doctor about increasing the dose of those (although they are not my favorite and did not get the same results as with the Standard Process brand).
Antidepressants are very difficult to get off of and they do not treat the cause, only the symptoms. Omega-3 supplementation will not only benefit you but your baby as well. Will antidepressants do that?
Any further questions please feel free to email me personally.

It is perfectly normal. Try not to dwell on things that make you feel sad. It helps to talk to someone about your feelings- off your mind out of your thoughts. If need be, take a warm shower and cry your eyes out in the shower. It does wonders to let it all out! Drink plenty of water and go out in the sunshine. Take a walk and look at all the beautiful things in the world. Don't rely on meds. I tried it while I was pregnant and it made me feel wierd. Good luck and smile, it does wonders.

I went through the same thing. Mine was extremely severe and I had to be medicated. I started medication at 15 weeks. My baby is 10 months old now and doing great. Just please take care of yourself. Anxiety is one of the worst things to deal with. Keep busy and make sure you have a strong support system. If you need to talk, send me a message.

I started having anxiety problems when my first child was about a year old, and it got much worse recently during my 2nd pregnancy. I started taking zoloft when I was about 30 weeks along, actually my OB prescribed it! She wants me to wean off of it before I deliver, but I'm not sure how that will go.

I'm also seeing a therapist, and that helps me find ways to deal with the anxiety. A big part of it for me is spending more time working on things I can control, and less time fretting about things I can't change. For example, I had a really bad experience with my first labor & delivery, so this time I switched to a different OB, and we hired a doula who has done some classes with us and will be there when I'm in labor.

The zoloft didn't really change my personality, but I feel like it gave me a huge attitude adjustment. When I feel a panic attack coming on, I'm able to think more clearly and find a way to calm down.

If you can narrow down the things that are bothering you, it's unbelievable how much it can help to do something productive. When I start to worry about not being ready for the baby, it helps a ton if I go organize the nursery or pack the diaper bag, something to help me focus and feel more ready!

I would make an appt to see an accupuncturist, homeopath, naturopath, or a chiropractor that can provide you with some supplements. I know Lifetime Family Wellness in Hurst would be able to provide you with support. www.family-wellness.com.

You don't have to feel like this, you just need to find someone to help you. I'm sorry that your doctor is not more supportive!

M.

Girl - I was mad and depressed the entire 9 months of my first pregnancy. My doctor wouldn't give me anything and I lost several friendships for this reason. I was just nasty to everyone. And what's strange is that I'm naturally a VERY positive and happy person, so for me to have been so angry all of the time, well it was extremely difficult on my husband, friends, family and of course myself.

I started feeling better when my son was about 6months.

Now I am on the lowest dosage of zoloft (4 months pregnant with my second) and happier than ever. It's really strange, I feel as if I'm in a state of euphoria - atleast compared to my first pregnancy.

As soon as you can, take the meds. It will help you and everyone around you! If you need to talk - feel free to email me or call. I'll send you a private message with my info. Good luck and just now that it does get better.

I had postpartum depression and omega-3 (fish oil tablets), specifically with high EPA, really helped. They've done a bunch of clinical trials showing how it helps with depression. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100621111238...

There is a book I really found helpful, which might help with your anxiety as well:
Learned optimism: how to change your mind and your life
By Martin E. P. Seligman

You may also try hypnosis, aromatherapy, or meditation audio cd's. Basically you want to disrupt the chemical and neural processes that are causing the anxiety. Your body has been accustomed to this state of being and keeps trying to have you create the same biochemicals over and over again so it can feel 'normal', which sends a message to your brain to start the process of anxiety "thinking" so that your brain sends out the biochemicals again. The movie "What the Bleep Do We Know" did a great job of explaining how our brain works, specifically Dr. Joe Dispenza who wrote "Evolve Your Brain" that I also highly recommend reading.

These books changed my life along with all the other stuff like supplements and aromatherapy. Best wishes to you and your future baby!

O'wow, there's so much I could type here. Let's just say, my last pregnancy was completely the worst emotional and physical experience I've ever had to date and I HATED being pregnant. Makes me sad to admit that, ugh. I did finally get some relief, but it wasn't till after my pregnancy and into my breastfeeding. I'm doing GREAT now and wish I'd had the now knowledge then. Currently my family is moving this week, so I'm waaaay busy packing and keeping up with kids and dailies, but I wanted to reach out to you in support. I'd be more than happy to share some things I believe may help you (everyones situation is unique). Drop me a note and if not, I'll get back to you on this when I have the time to go into it. Two things I can share now that helped me tons; Vitamin D supplement and Sunshine (Walking outside!) and plenty of protien in your diet. I was shocked how much those two things helped so quickly, didn't think much of them when the doctor reccommended them over medication....that is after I finally broke down and told her what was going on with me. They helped me sleep better and that was a miracle in itself! Thoughts and prayers~ Chell

I had this as well. My baby is now 11 weeks old. The thing I found that really helped me was acupuncture. It's not painful at all but is extremely effective. Google it and see what you think. If you depression keeps up, you are also going to be more prone to postpartum depression as it tends to follow you through birth. Send me a note if you want some info on what has helped me get through this side of having a baby in a good mood :) Hang in there. You're not going crazy. There is nothing wrong with you or your baby. This is very normal. Good for you on seeking out some answers!!

I had this same problem at about the same time frame as you! I was actually quite worried that I was making all kinds of wrong decisions about having and keeping the baby, doubting my mothering abilities, etc. It was quite overwhelming. It is apparently quite common, as about 20% of women have antepartum depression while they are pregnant. It is good that you talked to your doctor already about it because apparently it can cause bad postpartum depression.

Basically when I coped with it, I had some relief just in knowing that I was not the only one who felt this way and that it was actually quite common. I then went to a counselor who had a background with pregnancy issues and concerns. She was able to talk me through a lot of what I was feeling, but she also gave me a number to a hotline that was run by other moms who had similar problems. They were not "professionals," but they were good to be able to call when I was extremely emotional at 2 in the morning to tell me that it is okay and that they had been there too. I told my doctor and by the time I got to 20 weeks, I was already doing MUCH better. Plus, at that point, I was able to get the ultrasound again which brought back several of my attachment feelings. Now, at 24 weeks, I'm doing a lot better. You would've never even thought I had a problem before. I still meet with my counselor and she even said that it seems like I'm much happier. I would suggest possibly looking into some similar resources as to what I was given. I would give you the hotline number, but it is a local hotline so I know it won't work in Texas. You can also message me if you have anymore specific questions. It is possible to get through it though!