I am used to my depression but cannot seem to snap out of this slump...

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I am not on medication, but have been 'ok' off it because I do my own little coping things. I am 5 months pregnant and it's been really quite bad with sickness and mostly tiredness. I am not very healthy, still haven't recovered from having DS2 (17m) fully and still breastfeeding which I know plays a part, also being winter doesn't help but I definatly not even my normal depressed self. I went to GP with my tiredness, explained I have depression but it was definatly a real physical exhaustion and I had loads of blood tests done but the results were lost (done the same time as pregnancy scan bloods and only some results came back). All I remember on the note was thyroid test but there was about 6 listed to check and I am just 'meh' about sorting it all out again. I haven't bothered with makeup for the school run, barely brush my hair for it even because everything really drains me, but then I think maybe it's the depression and at least partially I can motivate myself but I really cannot seem to. I don't feel more depressed than usual - with flashbacks/bad thoughts (sad, not me doing anything)/ feeling sorry for myself etc., I just feel .. dunno, like a shell and really drained with no spark at all. Does this sound like depression but maybe just in a different way for me, or maybe just physical...? Being pregnant and breastfeeding I would rather stay off meds, but then maybe I need them again? Thanks for 'listening'

I know how you feel - I'm 5 months too and still breastfeeding my 2yo. I'm struggling with my marriage at the moment and am very prone to real highs and lows. I'm not coping particularly well myself so perhaps shouldn't be giving you advice but here is my take on it all:

• breastfeeding shouldn't make you feel worse (although if like me it is still uncomfortable it isn't the nicest thing in the world) - it releases generally good hormones!

• pregnant and breastfeeding is not a reason not to take meds if you feel you need them and they are recommended. There are meds safe for your situation, and if you are advised to stop BF and don't want to.

• the weather is a bitch and really gets me down too - I'll be watching for tips if anyone has any, to deal with this.

I feel like you - drained - when I am having a really down day. I guess I just wanted you to know you are not alone. I don't know how much of mine is pregnancy and how much is other issues, but it can't help!

Thanks I think we are on the same ante-natal thread (June)? Have been to blurgh to even keep up with that I have just had 5 months of down days though and even in my badly depressed days had a little kick up the arse mechanism that has just...gone. I think I may give ADs a whirl - I got a SAD lamp, and a wakey upey sunrise clock which have done nothing, so I guess nothing to lose by trying ADs, even if it gives me a placebo effect.

Thanks I think we are on the same ante-natal thread (June)? Have been to blurgh to even keep up with that I have just had 5 months of down days though and even in my badly depressed days had a little kick up the arse mechanism that has just...gone. I think I may give ADs a whirl - I got a SAD lamp, and a wakey upey sunrise clock which have done nothing, so I guess nothing to lose by trying ADs, even if it gives me a placebo effect.

Hi,

I haven't been keeping up with the ante natal thread either - they always go too fast! But yeah I'm due in June too.

Hope you're keeping your spirits up.

I just want to say that I have been there (pregnant and depressed with a 2 year old). I don't know if this will help but as soon as my baby was born I felt a million times better.
Pregnancy is a stressful time for anyone. First of all you have the uncertainty of the impending birth: don't underestimate how something like that can weigh you down mentally. Secondly, you are physcially restricted from doing a lot of things.

Perhaps it would help to just "go with it", I mean to let yourself off and not beat yourself up on the days you can't manage much. Let your 2 year old watch TV. I had a mid-morning bath with my 2 year old and it did relieve my anxiety a little. I also put her in daycare two mornings a week and just went to bed and read. I didn't feel guilty about the housework at all. Another thing that helped me was to have something really nice planned for after the birth, something to look forward to. I went abroad when my baby was 4 weeks old! Obviously thats not for everyone but it was brilliant for me. I fely completely refreshed.