Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Depression and pregnancy

5 replies

sadtonight9 · 10/10/2021 10:42

Good morning. I'm looking for some advice/experiences of depression in pregnancy, and taking antidepressants while pregnant please. For all of my teenage/adult life I have suffered from chronic depression. Most of the time it is low-moderate in severity, with a couple of periods of severe depression (usually triggered by difficult life events). It's usually when it's edging towards severe that I have sought help and I have previously taken sertraline, fluoxetine and venlafaxine, as well as having engaged in counselling, cbt and dynamic interpersonal therapy. Unfortunately none of these have made a significant difference, even the medications. At best they've just slightly taken the edge off so I'm not utterly miserable constantly, but I never feel good enough to start making positive changes in my life or just feel good about myself/life. I feel like I spend my whole existence just trying to survive each day with as little emotional discomfort as possible, and fulfilling my obligations (feeding my dd, getting her to school, making sure her uniform is clean and ironed, homework done, making sure there's clean clothes and dishes, electric on the meter etc). I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant and I think dp and I are basically separating. Obviously this comes with all kinds of sadness and fear and I'm worried about my mental health. I'm struggling to feel connected to my baby and I'm not taking care of myself like I should be right now. I really don't want to take antidepressants while pregnant, and because of past experience I also don't think they're likely to make much difference to how I'm feeling anyway. But I just don't know what else to do 😞 I know that I'll manage to keep plodding along no matter what, but I really don't want to feel like this and I'm also worried about what kind of effect this stress and depression is having on my unborn baby. Thanks in advance for any advice or support.

OP posts:
Idontlike · 10/10/2021 15:06

So sorry you are struggling with this and that you may be separating. I don’t have any experience of depression in pregnancy but have suffered from it, on and off, for many years. I hope you can find some support that helps. Flowers
Have you spoken to the MW? She could signpost you to some support or be able to refer you.

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/mental-health/

There are some links on here also
www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/how-you-might-be-feeling/antenatal-or-prenatal-depression-signs-symptoms-and-support

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/postnatal-and-antenatal-depression/

sadtonight9 · 10/10/2021 18:15

Thank you @Idontlike

Honestly I'm hesitant to contact the midwife because my mental health and being a single mum meant I had quite heavy hv involvement when my first dd (10) was a baby. I know they're an optional service but I didn't at the time, and you hear a lot of horror stories about them threatening ss involvement if you refuse to engage with them (I would have the initial checks and visits still). I don't want to feel like my parenting is being scrutinised 😞They should just be there for support but it doesn't always feel like it. The midwife is aware that I have mh issues though, and if I honestly feel like I need to I will speak to her about my current mental state at my next appointment in a couple of weeks.

OP posts:
Idontlike · 10/10/2021 19:45

They should be there to help, awful if they make women scared to reach out because of fearing SS or scrutiny!

I’d like to think things have moved on from when you had DD but I understand your reticence. I hope things get easier for you, just take it one day at a time -take care of yourself.

sadtonight9 · 10/10/2021 20:30

Thank you, I'll do my best. Thanks very much for responding x

OP posts:
Squashy90 · 19/10/2021 00:34

Hi, just looking for some advice and found this thread, can you get postnatal depression 13 months after birth?

TIA x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page