antenatal depression

[suzieh66]

Im 32 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and theres a big gap between this one and the other two as I got married again last year. I had terrible PND with first DD and no problems with DS. Went to London on Friday to see DH family which is about 300 miles away and I drove both ways and overtired myself. Has big massive coughing fit in the night and therefore didnt sleep and was anxious the whole time. Cant shake off the anxiety and have hardly slept. Have made GP appointment as spent all yesterday crying.....sobbing....in fact, and am terrified it's all happening again. Anxiety levels in the night are high and am finding the only thing to stop the panic is to keep on the move. Am I doing the right thing? Does anyone think I'm just overtired and emotional and a couple of days rest will put me right????

and does anyone know of anything I can safely take such as Kalms or Quiet life just to see if they do the trick

i'm not sure you can even take quiet life etc- check with a pharmacist
however, waht about:
gentle, relacxing sutff - antenatal youga/swim/peaceful walks/massage? migth help you sleep better

was like this too, it's horrible i know. just try to rest, if not sleep, better than nothing and get good books for the night to read, make the most of the time as it werer

Thank you, I'm worried that Im going to jump the gun by being so scared of it happening again, I really couldnt do it again. This is the only time I've had a baby and everything is in place to make it a wonderful experience....lovely DH, got more money, other kids itching to help. If it all gets spoilt then I would'nt know what to do.

i wish I hadnt taken for granted how well I felt on Thursday!!!!!:(

i felt much better as soon as baby was born, if that helps. alll the happy hormones kick in as opposed to the worry/nesting ones you've got now!

also, can you list what yr worrying about? if it's big stuff - talk it out with yr dh/good friend, if it's about the birth then it's normal to worry but again seek reassurance from yr dh and family (even on the phone).
HTH?

Thats the problem, I'm not really worrying about anything in particular. Just have an unshakeable dread feeling in the pit of my stomach and feel like "fight or flight' instinct is on red alert.
Also I'm off for half term this week and havent got the usual routine of work etc and I think this isnt helping

BTW - didn't mean that worries about the birth weren't also big! Just that everyone has them to different degrees, IFYKWIM?
Like 006 says, use MN to help too, I know i did!

havent had a worry about the birth yet, all was going so well up until Friday. Actually sitting here typing is quite theraputic isnt it?? lol
You may be seeing a lot from me!!!!

back later, taking DS out for a walk before docs appointment
xx

enjoy the sunshine and take care!

doctor said to see the midwife at my next appointment. He was a locum and I never met him before but he was very understanding especially as I started to weep before I even got a word out and couldnt even speak for a minute or two.
I feel better knowing I have told a professional as I kept the whole thing to myself the last time and didnt even tell dd's Dad!!!!
Went to library and borrowed a couple of good books for the long and lonely nights ahead. Am exhausted but cant wait to get out of the house again.

I had this for my entire 2nd pregnancy but with irrational rages as well - poor dh never knew if he was going to wake up next to a velociraptor or a zombie!

If it helps mine vanished - COMPLETELY - the second dd was born. It actually felt like a physical thing - like a whacking great vulture lifting off from my shoulders, in fact.

Brrr. It's horrible to go through - hope you feel much better soon.

have been to B&Q and bought wallpaper then DH took us all out for tea. He looks tired and I'm worried about him too, but I've never felt so able to talk about it.Poor guy, we've only been married a year, he must be wondering what he got himself into. Felt good in the shops, but didnt eat a mouthful of my meal and I'm usually the greediest woman in town.
I don't know how you coped Olivia35 for the whole of the pregnancy, but I feel as though its a physical thing too and that it will go as soon as it came, lets hope Im right eh??

I suffered from this too throughout my pregnancies, I set up a website about it \link{http://www.unplannedpregnancies.co.uk\here}, there are links to other sites. It's actually very common but hardly ever spoken about. Which should be changed, but that's society for you!

You'll get through it, it's awful but it's temporary, it does honestly go after the baby is born. Best of luck!

It crept up on me quite insidiously. I had ds (now 22 months), everything was blissful. Then when I stopped bf'ing at 8 months my periods re-started & with them PMT from hell (hours of crying, foul temper, constant feelings of not being able to cope).

Had JUST made the connection between bonkers depressed episodes & being about to come on (never had premenstrual problems before) & promptly got pg around ds's first bithday - whereupon the vulture descended & stayed for 9 months. Honestly thought I was going mad.

It didn't occur to me to get help - I just ranted that OBVIOUSLY I was pissed off with everything, due to having a toddler, a difficult pregnancy & a demanding full-time job, & why didn't everyone just f*ck off & stop telling me what a cow I was being, because I already knew?!

Eventually (at about 32 weeks pg) dh hauled me off to GP who diagnosed antenatal depression. She couldn't do a great deal about it - I refused to accept the diagnosis or any treatment. However, at least when it abruptly went away after dd's birth - & it was dramatically sudden enough that dh claims he could tell immediately that I was 'back' - I was able to re-evaluate the preceding year & realise that I had been really quite ill.

It can & will pass! (Sorry for rambling btw)

you all have no idea how much this is helping. Had a better night last night, lets see how the day goes.
Keep posting please, it really really helps
xx

i dont want to talk too soon, but I havent dreaded going to bed yet today. Good sign?? We'll see. Feel lighter. Maybe just needed a rest and was so terrified of it all happening again that I over reacted. Watch this space. Meeting poor DH for lunch, I hope he can stay awake, he looked like s**t this morning and I know its because he's worried about me (and being lumbered with the other kids.

hi there- let dh cherish you, and, i mean this nicely, don't worry about him, let him worry about you!
i used to dread sleep/my bed too and felt the curse of not being able to drop off and its results - best to see it as a place to relax, rest, take a good bk (and you might then doze off)

Suzie - not wanting to go to bed is a classic sign of depression. I suffered from antenatal depression with DD1. I felt that I could't talk to DP as I couldn't verbalise what I was feeling. My GP shipped me off to a counsellor who really just asked me why I was anxious. Like you, I couldn't put my finger on anything and eventually after 3 or four sessions the fear just drifted away. Think you are doing the best thing by talking (typing) about it. Once the baby has arrived you won't have time to think about anything else!
I know it's rotten but you (and DH) will get through it. Just keep chatting. x

i possibly spoke too soon.
Anyone recommend any good books please. Preferably humourous
x

Bad Mother's club is a good read.

how not to be a perfect mother, libby purves? bit dated but on topic and fun..

otherwise just have a browse in the recommended section of library/bkshop and choose what you fancy according to yr tastes.