Prenatal depression - when does it usually start?

[sallyandrews]

I wondered what everyones experience with prenatal depression are, and when it usually begins?

[pleasethanks]

I was not diagnosed, but did have PND and looking back I think I did probably have an element of prenatal depression too. Mine started v early, probably about 9 weeks in and I think it was partly due to how physically awful I felt and a death in the family the afternoon after we told everyone I was pregnant.

[Oeisha]

It can happen at any point. If you're at all worried/low then talk to you MW or GP and tell them how you feel and don't do what I did for ages with non-pg depression and think "I'm ok, it's not that bad" or just get there and feel a bit stupid because maybe I'm just a bit stressed or "this is just normal for me".

[sallyandrews]

I've had depression for most of my life, but I've been well for a couple of years. I'm only 6 weeks pregnant, but feel that blackness. I don't understand, I want this baby, it was planned, longed for. Why do I feel like this?

[Oeisha]

Oh sweetie! I also have a history of depression and anxiety so can sympathise. Depression just isn't logical. If there WAS a reson it'd be a hell of a lot easier to cope with IMHO as you would have something to 'fix'.
I also found the raging hormones of early pregnancy an utter bitch, but was so exhausted most of the time that I slept as much as I could.
Are you UK based? If so:
The good news is that because you're pregnant with a history of depression, you'd be fast tracked through the system (or you should be as you're now "high risk"). Def. talk to your MW or GP and get them to refer you on to the psychiatric team (or similar). I've been reassured I can go back on an anti-ds if needs be (amitriptyline I think). Ideally not in 1st trimester, but that anti-d in particular is regularly used with no/very little effect in mums of all gestation, but there are choices other than drugs.
I can also recommend cognitive behavioural therapy if you haven't tried it before. It helps me through the crazy thoughts (ok, I want this baby, so why do I feel so shit, am I just delluding myself and I really don't want it and it's all a huge mistake, and if it is how will I cope, and crikey, if I can't even do this bit right what the hell use will I be as a parent...blah blah blah).
Push for it as, although it can take a bit of work I found it ultimatly more helpful that drugs. Something like hypnobirthing might help. It seems to chime with the CBT (aiming for the positive, relaxation exercises etc), though I do get a little errm, frustrated with the some of the more hippyish aspects, but it might just help promt you to stay focused, and give you some YOU time, and accept that the depression has little or no bearing on what you actually feel and want, it just is what it is and you CAN work through it.
Whatever you go for, get things under way TODAY. Ring MW or GP and get an appointment and insist that you want to see someone as you know you're on the way down again. If you'd like take DP/someone you can trust with you so they can get accross the fact that you want and need their help (I often just get there and because they've prodded me/baby and everything's all exciting, I forget to talk about the other stuff).
Also, try joining your antenatal thread. A lot of what you're experiencing will be totally 'normal', and reading other mums going through the same thing is such a huge help. Also, when you're having a moment, just pop back on here and rant and let some of it out.

[goodnightmoon]

hormones can do such a number on your emotional health - i had major meltdowns around 20 weeks and 33 weeks where everything seemed so bleak and negative. that last episode was only a week ago and it's like all the joy had gone out of life and i had absolutely nothing but dread for having this baby. things really eased off for me though within just a few days. it didn't help that i've been in pain, but i don't think i'm actually depressed. i'm going to be mindful though that it could still happen. do seek help if you keep feeling this way.