Depression In Pregnancy

[DjDebbieD]

Hi there, i'm currently 28 weeks pregnant with my 1st baby and up to a few days ago I was fine! But the last few days I have begun to feel really depressed and down, I feel like crying for no reason and everything seems to get me down. I am also noticing more that I am no longer referred to as a person, when people see me the 1st thing they acknowledge is the baby, I no longer get asked how I am its always "hows the bump", its as though I am only around to be an oven for the bun and its really gettin me down! Is this normal, have others felt like this or am I losing the plot???
Any advice would be appreciated!

[Katy44]

Hi DjDebbieD, I'm afraid I can't give you any advice but I just wanted to let you know that there's a thread about this in the antenatal section. Wasn't sure if you were aware.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I hope you are OK xx

[luciemule]

Hello Debbie,

I was exactly the same as you, as were quite a few of my friends and it could be pre-natal depression, although it might be the fact that you will have finished work (if you worked) and have completely changed your lifestyle.
Once I finished work I felt lost and everybody only ever talked about the 'bump' which made me feel like a number instead of a person and it took a lot of coming to terms with. However, once she was born I had full blown post natal depression for almost 2 years so I'd advise you going to see your GP asap for a chat and they might refer you to a councellor. I didn't tell anyone apart from my DH and refused to go to GP until the 18 month point which was a huge mistake. I'm sure that if you go and chat to your GP, they'll say it's a mixture of life changes with hormones and advise you what to do.
Eating 5 brazil nuts every day helps you feel less depressed.Perhaps you could join something locally to get you out and meeting up with people because lonliness played a big part in my depression. Is there a aqua natal class or something you join? Hope this helps?

[luciemule]

Also forgot to say that a friend had ante-natal depression but once she'd had the baby she was ok so the hormones changed for the better. I still think it would be talk to somebody though as talking got through everything without the need for anti depressants (not saying that I shouldn't have had them though). Not sure if you can take them whilst pregnant?

[DjDebbieD]

Hiya Luciemule,
Thanks for your message. I havent worked throughout my pregnancy as I have previously had 4 miscarriages so I was advised by consultant not to work and to rest as much as possible, I have also been incredibly ill throughout this pregnancy so havent been able to go out much, not sure if this plays a part in how ive been feeling. what u said is exactly how ive been feeling tho, feeling like a number rather than a person.
I think I will see how I go before I go and see my GP, I feel a little silly being "jealous" of the bump!

[luciemule]

I'm sorry to hear about your previous MC's.
Maybe because of them you feel that you should be ecstatic about this pregnancy but I guess you've got worries about this baby too after having 4 MC's, even though you're 28 weeks now.
Maybe you could do things with DP/DH that don't revolve around the baby (cinema etc) for a while so that you have something other than the bump to think about. Perhaps go to the salon and have a pedicure/manicure or something so you spoil yourself before the birth. Then you might not feel so jealous of the bump. As you haven't been working, you've spent all of your time with the bump, rather than having say 9/10 of work to keep your mind concentrating on something else.
Sorry for waffling.

[brimfull]

prenatal depression has been linked to a lack of essential fatty acids,perhaps try adding some oily fish and nuts to your diet.