Thinking of Taking Medication for Post Pardom Depression - Need Advice

I strongly suggest it!!!! I had post partum depression and didn't take anything with #1. It was horrible. I did with #2 and life was so much better! Plus there is so much more adjustment with 2 that you want to be the best mom you can! They are not addicting and many people take them...more than you ever know!

I suffered from post pardom depression after my now 6 year old was born. My sister actually drug me to the doctor and they put me on meds. I did not believe in them. What a miracle, they absolutely made me feel better. I used them for about 1 month or so and then I was fine. Don't put yourself and your family through that again. The meds will help you!!! Congrats on baby number 2!!!!

PPD is miserable, and like the others here have said, wait and see if you do have it this time. It appears that the second kid tends to trigger it worse than the first does, but not always.

I have been on Zoloft for a long time and just started going off it. It is not addictive and had no real side effects that I couldn't live with. It took me almost a year after my daughter was born to realize that I was just not myself still and there was no real reason for me to be so unhappy. I am one of those people that worry more about my kids than myself so I didn't do anything about it when I should have. I got very depressed and had a lot of problems with my friends and family that would not have happened had I understood what was happening to me sooner.

Do not let yourself get so far into a depression hole that you get feeling helpless. Even Supermoms need help sometimes and there is absolutely nothing wrong with needing a medical hand in getting your emotions and hormones back under control. Pregnancy messes up a lot of things in your system and some people's hormones just don't do what we want them to sometimes. Whether you decide to go herbal or not, be sure to talk it over with your doctor just to be safe.

I also had problems with post partum depression with 2 out of three kids. I did try med. with the last one and it did wonders. I also recomend as much exercise as possible. My DR. recommended trying to walk daily and I seen a difference right away. You can be the judge of how long you need the meds too, but it sure helps get you back on track. Good Luck.

I.

Hi M.. I had PPD badly after my second child was born. I prefer natural methods when it comes to my health so, I took St. Johns Wort in liquid form (Suggested by my midwife). It made me feel completely better and there were no side effects and safe for my nursing baby. It's a great alternative to anti-depressants if you're hesitant to take them. Good luck!

As much as I hate to chirp in with the same thing. I had PPD with my second child. I tried swimming and staying fit but it really didn't work. So I started taking Zoloft, I will say you have to have a strong mind and good support system before you start taking any meds. My husband and family were great to talk to. Remember not to feel bad for taking any meds or seeking help. They are not addicting however do not Just stop taking them you will need to be taken off them slowly under physician supervision.I voluntered with alot of PPD moms so I knew I needed help immediately. Good luck and stay positive.

Let me just say first, way to go, acknowledging this is a great step towards prevention. Secondly, dont feel bad or quilty if you do need to take meds, being healthy is best for your child. There is nothing wrong with having depression, lots of women out there get this way. As for what meds to use, talk to your doctor about what is out there and remember that one pill that works for one person might not work for you. I had to try a couple before I found one that works. Your doctor will know what the side effects and what not of the pill would be. Brooke Sheilds has a book out about her experience with PPD and from what I have heard, it is full of great info on it. I havent read it, but by the time she came out with it, I had experience with it myself. Hopefully you will not have to deal with it, but you are taking some great steps towards getting thru it. Good Luck!

I would agree with the wait and see aproach. Just because you had PPD with the first doesn't mean you will have it again. I have suffered depression after the births of some of my children, but not all. Make sure you have good support from family and friends and be aware of your emotional state. Recognize if the PPD comes back, but don't be afraid that it will.

Blessings to you on this new gift!

Hi M.-
PLEASE do not jump onto the medication until you NEED it. I had PPD with my second child. Starting medication just to try and prevent it will only make you unsure of who YOU are.
Give yourself the 6 week adjustment but be honest and upfront with your doctor and check in often during that time.
Exercise often, color with your 1st born, or do something fun and active together.
Good luck and congratulations on number 2.

Just another person agreeing with most - that you should wait a couple of weeks before asking for any medication. But if you need it, then TAKE IT and don't feel bad about it. You can't be a good mother if you're not happy and healthy.

I had a good case of the baby blues with my first child and just as I was about to call the doctor (after 5 weeks) it just kind of went away. But I knew there was no way I was going to go through that hell again with my second. I asked my doctor how long I should wait before coming in and she said to give it two weeks. And to my surprise, I was perfectly fine. No baby blues, no depression, nothing - that's why I suggest waiting because it may not happen this time. But if it does, there is no shame in getting the help you need.

Definitely wait until you need it before you take meds, and you will know if you need it or not, within a few weeks of the birth of your second one. Take the meds if you need it, I took them after second then stopped a 1 1/2 years later, then had to take them after my third and still taking it, he is 6 now. There is no reason to feel guilty you have to do what is best for your family, if you as a parent are not taking care of yourself how can you expect to be a good parent.

I completely understand the depression thing. I had the same thing when I gave birth to my son. I was miserable, cried constantly, didn't have any energy, and just felt numb. I wasted the first six weeks of his life by being too stubborn and ashamed to get help. I finally took meds and wished I had done it to begin with.

Before you decide anything though, keep in mind that many medications can pass through breast milk so if you're going to breast feed, make sure you get on something safe.

If I were you, I'd wait to see how you feel once the baby's born. Why take meds to prevent something you don't even know will happen (each pregnancy is different). But just be very in tune with your feelings and mentally prepare yourself ahead of time. That way, if it becomes more than the "baby blues," you'll be ready to ask your Dr. for help.

What ever you do, never feel ashamed! It's not your fault. Just do what you can do feel well so you can be well for that little miracle (and the first miracle you already have!

M.~
Super Kudos to you for knowing your body and knowing that you don't have to feel that way. I had TERRIBLE ppd with this last baby and asked for meds. My doc said "they take a few weeks to work anyway so don't bother". Needless to say, I switched docs....the weeks were going to go by either way, so I opted to spend them getting better. Step one is to make sure you trust your doc, if that is so, then have a frank conversation about meds...they are made for a reason!
Good luck!
~L.