may have antenatal depression, what to do?

[MissChief]

I'm 20+ weeks, pg and struggling rather at moment. Just facing up to this fact having unexpectedly broken down in front of mw. I've had bad insomnia for past 4 months and am now knackered - not coping with ds or demands of job. Also acutely anxious about everything - seems so normal till I talk about it, then realise should be "enjoying pregnancy" as midwife said. I know i'm prone to depression anyway - pre-pregnancy took ST J's & fish oils which helped. Now taking nothing which is not working. Never taken anti-depressants before, and don';t really want to but need something. GPs not very hepful but midiwife & now dh made me realise need to push for some support for all our sakes.

Enthusia, be careful about the strength of any lavender products you use too early in pregnancy won't you? My midwife is trained in aromatherapy massge and stuff like that and she advises caution esp in 1st trimester. I agree that you should get your GP to sign you off for a couple of weeks - you might find the total rest really helps. AND sucks - I am almost 40 weeks and can see the "light at the end of the tunnel". For me all the hassle after birth is so preferable to the 9 months before.

I suffered from depression a couple of years back, and then Antenatal depression last year [DS is now 10 weeks]. I took AD's because I knew it was healthier for me and baby if I could function - and was signed off. I actually ended up stopping the AD's about the 32nd week of pregnancy as I felt better about things..and now, even with broken sleep at night and a darling son of ten weeks, I have never felt better - even though of course, it's always on my mind that I may slip again. Baby seems fine despite me taking AD's during pregnancy.

Hope that helps.

Hi Enthusia,

Was just wondering how you're feeling now? Hope you feeling a lot happier

Just bumpint!