Depressed

[BalticUnicorn]

Hello i think I have prenatal depression. I'm irritated and hate everyone. My friends have disappeared. I'm up all night on the loo so I'm exhausted in the day. I just can't be bothered with all the baby talk and people keep saying my bump is small so I think there's something wrong. Needing a piss constantly means I can't get comfortable and I feel weak probably From losing so much water

Hiya,
Perinatal mental health was very good for me. I suffered from severe postnatal depression and they were very good. Hopefully yours will be as good. 😃

Personally I'd go back to the GP (try and see if there's one specialised in women's health) about needing to wee so often. Depending what they say, I'd push to see a woman's health physiotherapist. They'll be able to check your pelvic floor and advise on getting it in tip top condition.

Otherwise you could try to get in touch with the PANDAS Foundation.
www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/
They give support to women experiencing mental health problems in pregnancy and after birth. They're on FB too.

Hope you aren't waiting as long as a fortnight for your appointment but glad you now know it is on its way.

I've got an early scan tomorrow. Really hoping it is good news.

Just want to offer some support Baltic

I'm 30 weeks and suffering with anxiety and low mood. I'm already on ADs. I self referred to a private peri-natal counselling service - had my first appt on Monday. Obviously it's very early days but I want to do anything I can that may help. I think in my case I don't feel detached as much as overly attached. I worry constantly about my anxiety affecting my ability to look after my baby and my happiness at having him. I really don't want him to turn out an anxious mess like me. No real advice to offer but just wanted to say you're not alone, I know it's shite and we will come through.

Oh and every time I stand up or down I grunt like a prize sow. I am sure I'm going to break the toilet at work...

Hope everyone is ok. I've been referred to the perinatal team too so finding it reassuring to read that I'm not the only one. I'm not on ADS as I was on ones I can't take in pregnancy so came off them.
I wondered does anyone know what sort 0f things the perinatal team offer? I was a bit alarmed they have a psychiatrist as it sounds serious but I know it's a good thing. I've also been referred to a consultant midwife to discuss fear of birth and the physio as I've got PGP. All going on !

Hello all. Glad to hear your experience with mental health team teams have been good. My midwife wants me to see her again on Tuesday. Hope all is well at scan fuzzy x

Thanks Baltic. Really nervous now! X

I need to summon up the ability to call my perinatal team as a letter has arrived asking me to do so. Not sure why, but I am finding the idea of ringing them really daunting and trying to put it off.

I wondered does anyone know what sort 0f things the perinatal team offer?

Mainly counselling (ie they listen to you). They see women before and/or after birth with a variety of conditions ranging from anxiety, OCD, depression to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
They have child development psychologists who understand how babies develop and how bounding will help her. You may see a psychiatrist depending on your condition who can advise on medication and/or diagnosis (some women are diagnosed as depressed but may be bipolar for example).
As well as a listening ear they may offer CBT to help you deal with unhelpful thoughts. 😊

Forgot to highlight that good practice from the psychologist's point of view is to have an initial appointment where they outline what they can offer and then let you decide if you would like to go ahead.
You can also withdraw at any point (in extreme cases where social services are involved you may need to continue as SS may partly base their assessment on what medics say but I doubt you're in that situation).
At first I wasn't keen. I agreed (with my GP) I'd go to the first appointment and see. After that I agreed to meet every other week. Essentially you decide if what they offer is for you and you can stop if/when you no longer like/need it.

Hi guys, thought I'd jump in. I'm really struggling with antenatal depression at the moment too (19weeks) and finally called Crisis today to make a self-referral. It just made me cry reading this thread knowing everyone else is going through it too.
I feel so incredibly alone and can't distinguish between whether everything is just really very fucking shit at the moment and I'm reacting to that or whether everything feels shitter than it is because I'm depressed.
I wish I had just one friend I know I could count on for company and to give me a good shake and to listen and to hug. She sadly moved back home to Italy in March.
Thankfully my DH has patience for this madness. I don't think I would have if the roles were reversed, I'm fucking hard work atm and I know I am.

Just sending you all a hug. I was in your boats this time last year. I had horrific perinatal depression/anxiety but was fobbed off every step of the way, so please do keep ringing those numbers and being heard

I'm going for a wee every 10 to 20 minutes it's so wearing I'm barely drinking because I can't cope with being up all night.

Tearful again tonight how's everyone?

Can't sleep I've gone on the couch crying I don't know what to do I dont even know what's wrong with me I just can't control myself atm.

Have sent you a PM OP. Hope you're getting some sleep now

Thanks for the info regarding what the teak offer. Cbt and /or counselling sound like the right sort of things. Reassuring to know it's a two way process too.
Hope everyone is ok.

How is everyone? Another hysterical night feeling like i cant breathe. Seeing midwife tomorrow and prob phone in sick to work i feel so unwell

I really hope the midwife is supportive. Have you heard from the perinatal team yet?

Insomnia is horrible here and I just feel so numbly exhausted.

No not heard from them. I dont even know what im upset about really. How was your scan?

Oh OP! That's no good. Call again. Chase them. I just spent an hour with the perinatal counsellor and am waiting for a script for SSRIs. It's weird because I feel ok today so it seems like a dream. But if I don't start taking them now then when the shit hits me full frontal again I'll wish I had. Dilemma. It's scary.

Pester them OP. I know how you feel. You're not alone

What ssri are they? Shes given me fluxeotine but im terrified of taking them.

Sertraline. Equally terrified!

Ive also been signed off work for 2 weeks so im sure that will go down like a lead balloon

I'm glad you've been signed off work Baltic. It doesn't matter what they think. It's one less stree for you for a while.

Ok, we'll I'm a first time AD user and this is pretty intense... took It a few hours ago and still feeling quite rough. Imagine it will wear off?! Feeling conflicted about whether this was a good idea now. Feel weepy and scared. And if I feel like this, what about the baby?!