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Our Antenatal and Postnatal Depression forum is a supportive space where you can share your postnatal depression experiences.

Antenatal/postnatal depression

Depression and pregnancy

8 replies

Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:29

Hi, I’m newly pregnant, just 10 weeks, I’ve had a scan and have a viable pregnancy but I’ve felt nothing but depression and stress the whole time. I’ve cried and cried and just seem to feel really low. I do feel very sick all the time and energy levels so low which doesn’t help.
I was on the fence about having a baby yet my husband has always wanted one. When I did the test my world turned upside down. It threw everything that we were doing off course, we had to cancel buying our house that was about 4 days away from completion because we won’t be able to afford it now what with having a baby. I’ve had to sign off work due to stress and someone driving into the back of my car and driving off which has not helped me as now I don’t have a fully functioning car until the police hunt him down for the insurance. Just loads of stuff all on top of me that make being pregnant a horrible experience.
Does anyone have any advice for depression in pregnancy, I need to combat it as it could lead to postnatal depression and affect my baby. I am due to see the midwife Sunday so that’s a start.

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yeveamgirl · 22/09/2023 06:33

Talk to the midwife and be completely transparent. There is such a thing as prenatal depression. I didn't have that but I had post natal and I went on anti depressants while I was trying to get my head straight and had six months of therapy and it saved me.

Does your partner know how you feel?

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MariaVT65 · 22/09/2023 06:37

Hi OP, i’m currently pregnant with my second. I felt absolutely terrible mentally during first trimester, like I had doomed my life. Part of it can definitely be down to hormones and I’ve definitely felt a lot better since hitting second trimester.

When you speak to your midwife, might be a good idea to ask to be referred to the perinatal mental health team. I’m also with them. Good luck :)

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PurBal · 22/09/2023 06:43

I started recognising my symptoms of antenatal depression at 9 weeks. I was signed off work for the last 4 months of my pregnancy. Speak to GP and midwife. PANDAS is also good.

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Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:44

Thanks for your reply. Yes my partner knows and he is trying his very best to help me through. I feel so bad for him as I keep ‘pushing him away’ as he puts it, where as I just feel like I need to be alone, he kind of does my head in and of late, the smell of him makes me sick! What’s that all about!?
I will be speaking to my midwife about it as I have a history of depression as well as my mum having severe depression all her life. I will not go on antidepressants as I’ve seen what they do to my mum and it isn’t good, I have always taken the therapy route so I will seal help that way.
many thanks x

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Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:46

I totally feel this!! Like doomed my life is exactly how I feel. I’m also hoping the second trimester will be better, this first one is making me feel simply awful!
I worry about being involved in the mental health team, do they not mark us as being an unfit mother before we have even started? This is what worries me? What are your experiences with them please as I think I defiantly need them x

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Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:47

Ok lovely thanks you. I’ll check Pandas out x

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MariaVT65 · 22/09/2023 06:51

Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:46

No they don’t deem you unfit at all :) It is medically recognised that many women get perinatal depression during pregnancy and up to 1 year after birth due to the extreme hormone changes. Never underestimate the hormones! Pregnant women are also affected by things like all the pregnancy symptoms you can think of like sickness, pain and lack of sleep. I’m personally with the mental health team as I’m terrified of going back into hospital after my first birth experience during the pandemic x

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Lnaomiw · 22/09/2023 06:58

Amazing, thank you! I’m so happy to have this advice. I’ll be sure to ask the midwife to point me in the right direction!
I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience during covid, must have been very scary for you. I do hope you get on much better now x