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Pregnancy

Can you get pre natal depression?

10 replies

Scotty5 · 13/11/2010 12:17

I am 13 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I have a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old. I have always found the first trimester trick; horrendous mood swings, back ache and MS, but I am shocked by how depressed I feel ATM. I haven't stopped crying since I woke up this morning. The DP has had to take girls out for the day. I had my first scan yesterday and I think this is what has kicked it off. This was an unplanned pregnancy and I hate myself for not feeling happy about it. Is there anything I can do to stop this? I feel like I am going insane.

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Bonsoir · 13/11/2010 12:20

Yes, you can.

Acknowledging that you find pregnancy very difficult is a good first step, and then allowing yourself a lot of leeway because of it is a good second step.

Are you very tired? What could you get other people to do for you so that you can rest more?

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Applemuncher · 13/11/2010 13:08

You need to alert your GP and midwife to how you're feeling. Pre-natal depression is just as serious as post natal depression.

It's really good that you've recognised this yourself - that's half the battle, it's also good that your partner sounds like he's trying to help by giving you some space.

Go have a chat with the GP, let us know how it goes but please don't ignore it. x

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ADreamOfGood · 13/11/2010 13:19

You can, please go and see your GP. I hope you're feeling better soon.

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grumblinalong · 13/11/2010 14:12

I would go speak to your MW and GP about it. I'm 8 weeks pregnant with my third too, unplanned too, and also have HG so I feel very depressed about it which I too feel terrible about, it's the guilt. I think because your other children are so young too anyone would feel under pressure. There are things the doc can recommend to help you. Hope you are ok.

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smoggii · 13/11/2010 14:31

Have a chat with your midwife and ask if there is a special team based in your area. In my area there is a team that i was referred to (i was overly anxious and more than a bit down) i go to an antenatal anxiety and depression group once a week - so good to meet other mums to be going through the same stuff.
The team will also be there for me after the birth until baby is one and keep an eye for post natal depression, the idea is that they get to know you so they can spot it at the earliest opportunity.
Good luck

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phipps · 13/11/2010 14:35

Yes you can. It is called ante-natal depression and you should see your GP to talk over how you are feeling. I had AND in my last pregnancy and my then GP didn't want to prescribe medication so he signed DH off work for 2 weeks to support me.

Of course, it could be that you feel worried about how you will cope with 3 such young children and are shattered but not clinically depressed.

You need to see your GP.

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Scotty5 · 13/11/2010 17:04

Thank you so much for all your messages, they have been an enormous comfort. I will definitely go and see me G.P. It is really good to know that I am not simply losing my mind and that other people are in a similar position. Still feeling fragile - but have finally stopped crying!

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Joolyjoolyjoo · 13/11/2010 17:11

I have felt horribly low in all my (planned) pregnancies. I think for me it is because I don't like pregnancy- I feel like I have been sent to jail for 9mths. I remember crying at the mere thought of being pregnant again when we were planning no 3 (at my insistence!)

For me the things that helped were trying to get on with most of life as normal. I found going to my usual gym classes was the biggest mood-lifter (but only do this is you are used to the classes and have been told it's ok by your MW!) I hated the things pregnancy did to my body. With dd1 I gave up all my exercise classes and got bigger and bigger and more and more depressed- it was as if my life was on hold until I could get this "thing" out. As it was my first baby, DH was really worried about post-natal depression, but as soon as dd was born I was elated for weeks In my subsequent pregnancies I was able to accept that I just didn't do pregnancy very well, but was confident that I would feel myself again when the baby was born.

For me, I wonder if it is to do with progesterone. I was on the mini pill for a while and it made me feel really depressed too, so maybe I am sensitive to progesterone!

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GretnaGirl · 13/11/2010 17:50

Sorry to butt into this thread late but I just wanted to add my support. I am suffering with ante-natal depression and there is really good support out there for you if you ask for it. I am on medication (not for everyone, I know) but also see a community psychiatric nurse too. She comes to the house and has even spoken with my family to help them understand how I'm feeling. Just having an expert explain things and give you help with how best to get on with things is really great. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon. x

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Scotty5 · 13/11/2010 18:00

Yes, I have always looked at pregnancy as a prison sentence, although I am really aware of how lucky I am to be pregnant. My problem is that I work 3 days a week as a teacher in a secondary school which is pretty exhausting and I have 2 children under four to look after the rest of the time. I know some exercise would lift my mood but I am absolutely shattered most of the time. I think you could be right about the progesterone - I have never got on with the pill, and never suffered from anything remotely resembling depression until I became pregnant. I am really worried that I am going to feel like this for the rest of the pregnancy and even more worried that I will get post natal depression afterwards. Hopefully, like you, I will feel absolutely fine when baby finally arrives.