Antenatal depression...?

[FellOutOfBedTwice]

Hi all

I'm 25 weeks into my second pregnancy. Having a shit time. Had hyperemesis with my DD (who is 25 months) and have it again now as well as migraines and have had a series of chest/respitory infections.

I remember at about this time witH DD I felt pretty low. I'm off work (as I was then) and feel pretty isolated and sad. I'm on 20mg of citalipram (mainly for anxiety- not got much history of depression outside of pregnancy) but wondering if this is depression and if I should be seeing my doctor or if it's a common time to feel low?

Just generally feeling useless, exhausted, like I'm not doing enough with DD. Sex life has gone down the swanny (have had some post sex bleeding in this pregnancy to boot and I'm RH neg so can't really have sex... Nor do I want to!!! But I'm missing the intimacy and closeness). Added to this our two year old ends up in our bed every night anyway.

House is also a fucking state. Poor DH is doing what he can but he's at work 12 hours a day and DD trashes the place within five minutes of getting up. I feel like I'm constantly chasing my own tail with housework and I'm too tired to do much more than the basics.

So really my question is should I be being proactive, mentioning these feelings of hopelessness and general uselessness (and the accompanying crying) to someone professional or should I just accept I've got a lot on my plate right now? DH and my parents and very supportive and helpful so I can't blame having no help or support.

[blueobsessive]

Didn't want to read and run. Sounds like you have a LOT on at the moment. Here are some and a most unmusnetty hug.

[Heirhelp]

I think if you are feeling useless and crying all the time you should go and see your GP and tell your midwife at your next appointment. As for sex, I think most people are not really interested in it or less interested when pregnant.

Depression is pregnancy is more common than postnatal depression but rarely talked about. It might just be that you need to be kinder to yourself and allow yourself to be tired and do less as you are busy growing a new human.

[Kariana]

Definitely speak to your GP or midwife about this. It's more common than a lot of people think and sounds to me like more than just having a lot on your plate.

[FellOutOfBedTwice]

Hi all

Just wanted to update. Saw my GP who was brilliant. Said he didn't think I was depressed, just tired and fucked off with everything (paraphrasing!) We discussed my worries about work and he got in touch with occupational health who I had already seen and a report came back today on his recommendation saying I wanted to work but it's all stacked against me health wise right now so he recommended I be allowed to work from home. If that's not possible he said he would have no qualms signing me off for the rest of the pregnancy as he thinks the stress of worrying about that isn't helping me. He doesn't think I need a higher dose of anti depressant but has given me a food suppliment for easy calories while I'm still so sick and has referred me to a specialist for migraine in pregnancy.

Parents have been stars since I spoke to my Mum a couple of days ago (not that they weren't before) and have taken DD off my hands all day today so feeling rested.

Feeling 500% more positive! Thanks for all your words of wisdom.

[Heirhelp]

Excellent news. I had a similar episode early on in my pregnancy and it made me realise that I need to be much kinder to myself and I have a longer tolerance of stuff.