Antenatal depression - really worried

[EvelynSalt]

I wondered if anyone has experienced this and what worked for you in terms of support / treatment?

I'm currently pregnant and have experienced two very distinct incidents of sudden and intense depression. On both occasions it's come on very quickly and I've sobbed, struggled to sleep, catastrophised and felt certain that my relationship is breaking down, I'm failing at work and everything is very dark. I feel like an awful person saying this but I even felt like my pregnancy is a mistake, despite it being a much wanted IVF baby. I don't feel like that normally!

This has come out of nowhere and in both instances, I've felt back to normal the next day (ish). I'm worried that this is going to develop into something worse and affect my marriage and my parenting when baby arrives.

I already take Sertraline, I have for a few years for anxiety and get on very well with it. But right now it doesn't seem to be working.

Has anyone found any other solutions to these feelings during pregnancy?

I’ve had similar feelings in both pregnancies - I have DD (3.5) and 30 weeks pregnant with a DS. Both times, I’ve spiralled thinking it was all one big mistake that I couldn’t go back on. Basically feeling sick with fear and convincing myself there would be something wrong with the baby. I find the feelings tapered off both times after about 25 weeks - I think when the hormones have really settled a bit and I feel better after the first trimester horrors!

I want to laugh now when I remember back to those feelings with DD who is my heart and my little mate and just feels like she’s been here forever. I’m sure I will feel the same about my baby boy when he’s arrived.

How many weeks are you? Do you know what you’re having? Xx

Thanks @Cuppasoupmonster, it's great that things settled down for you. I really hope that's the case for me too - I'm 19 weeks at the moment. Did you talk to anyone about how you felt or did you try to just crack on?

We don't know what we're having yet - hoping baby has its legs uncrossed at the anatomy scan!

With DD, I bottled it up. She was the first baby of her generation in our family and DH was so excited I didn’t want to ‘let him down’.

This time round ive been a bit more open about it, and that has really helped, plus knowing it was basically a replay of last time and it would get better.

is there anything specific worrying you? I find there’s often one focal point or deep concern, even if it’s hard to admit? 💐 🍰