May have major depression and I'm pregnant, should I take medication for depression while pregnant??

[Willibefine]

It was my first Counselling session and my counselor told me I have major depression and that I should speak to my gynecologist about it and refer me to a psychiatrist for medication. I'm nervous about taking medication while pregnant scared I'll effect my baby. I'm feeling may be I'm not depressed I'm just lazy.. all my life I've been lazy at times.. but the counselor after asking series of question about my life says I've had depression from my teenage years on and off and it has just gotten worst and will only get worst if I don't treat it, and it's better for me to take medication coz post part I'm depression could be the worst. Now I'm not sure if I have to get second opinion, Or push my lazy butt and do chores. If anyone's taken medication during pregnancy and does it help and if the baby is fine .. please let me know. Thanks.

I am in my last few months of training as a counsellor, and I find it very concerning that your counsellor has tried to diagnose you in your first session. Firstly that's not really long enough to make such a far reaching diagnosis with big consequences, and secondly counsellors are not meant to diagnose. If you feel you have problems I would ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist who will be able to give you a full assessment, make a diagnosis if there is one, and if needed then prescribe medication and talk through the risks and benefits with you.

I was prescribed antidepressants and stopped taking them on my GP's recommendation when I found out I was pregnant. It's been very difficult stopping them but I am hoping they will be able to help put other support in place via a neonatal mental health team or the like.

There are several antidepressants deemed as safe to take during pregnancy, and actually preferable to being off drugs but dealing with severe depression, however as Ursula says, your gp and psychiatrist should advise on this not just the counsellor

Thanks @UrsulaSings and @Glassio I would probably go to a different counsellor from here on and speak to my GP about it and if needed a psychiatrist to access my situation.

Speak to your midwife, too - they're the ones that really have the experience.

Any form of medication during pregnancy is generally considered on a "do the benefits outweigh the risks?" basis. As in, I'm taking antidepressants that do carry a small risk of harm to the baby because without them, there's a large risk that I could become suicidal. But there's a wide range of antidepressants out there, all with different potential effects on mother and baby. Do talk to your doctor. If you have a clued-up GP, that may be enough.

I’m sorry for what you’ve been going through too. I don’t have a mid wife just a gynecologist. I’ll surely talk to my gynecologist too.. my mind is so foggy can’t take decisions on how to go about things also.. I’ve been crying constantly and haven’t been excited about my baby .. just scared my negativity won’t effect my baby. My husband says I’m lazy and have been the whole time since I knew him but helps around the house and drives me to counsellor and waited in car.. not sure if he understands what depression is though. Thanks

We were advised by many consultants that sertraline (Zoloft) was fine to take, so ask them about that.

it sounds like you dont have the best husband though! maybe address that and you would feel better..

Having someone who's supposed to love you calling you names isn't good for anybody's mental health.

I felt very conflicted when I was first diagnosed with depression (well before becoming pregnant). I'm in the UK so that diagnosis was made by GP. Medication has been an incredibly powerful tool for changing my life for the better, and it's only after finding the meds that I was then able to look back and see that I was indeed very unwell. I have stayed on them throughout my pregnancy because along with that hindsight I am 100% confident that I am a better mum and therefore better able to look after my baby and give her what she needs, when I am medicated. I'm placing a lot of emphasis on looking after my MH especially carefully because I know I can't look after her to my best ability if I am unwell. Just sharing OP so you don't feel alone and maybe some of this will strike a chord with you too.

Thanks @Glassio yes I will check the medication and can't live like this anymore, maybe I haven't done anything for years career wise because of my depression. Feel so stuck! I'll take the first step for myself and not listen to my husband but the gynecologist, GP and psychiatrist.

@user163578742 yes I was hurt a lot and felt maybe I am just lazy the whole time too.. I'm not able to think straight and I believe everything that is put at me. So I feel like I am not sure if I can decide anything for myself.. my husband otherwise is good and is just frustrated coz of all the work he is doing cooking, cleaning, working, caring for my daughter... coz I just can't do anything and sleep...I'll only listen to trained professionals and get help ASAP.

@BoomyBooms thank you yes I'm overwhelmed and confused but now that I know I'm not alone feel better and know probably I can fight this and have a normal life again. I've been like this for so many years that I'm dragging my self in life instead of living it. I've forgotten how it is to be happy healthy mom coz I hardly have seen myself like that.. Now I know I need to get better for my baby and my toddler so I can enjoy my motherhood instead of the way I feel... pray for me that I find the right set of Professional help to get me through this. How are you feeling after medication? Does it help with moods very well and are you yourself again?? I'll get there too 😭🤞🏽

@Willibefine you are not at all alone!! It was only once I started being honest with people about my diagnosis that I realised how many other people could say 'i understand... Me too'. And remember that for most people depression is temporary and easily treated and eventually the person can come off medication and be recovered

It is very hard when you have unknowingly spent a long time unwell. For that reason I'd recommend counseling/therapy as well as medication just to help you get your head around it all, and that person may be able to say 'that thought/belief isn't you, it's your illness' and point out where you have made progress if you can't see it yourself.

Yes I'm absolutely myself, but a better version than I thought I could be. I still have all my feelings, I'm not 'flat', of course I still at times feel sad or anxious because that is a normal and healthy emotion. But I enjoy life now, I'm not trapped in it like I was. I won't lie, there's no magic pill and you do have to put the effort in as well but I promise you it is so so worth it. You can and will get better!! And then you will be so proud of yourself!!

Hey OP, sorry to hear you have been going through such a tough time. It sounds like you have struggled with feelings of depression or lack of motivation for a long time. I just wanted to say that when pregnant, our hormones can make us even more prone to depression and anxiety and mood swings. Just wanted to point that out, in case it is feeling worse now due to the hormones. xx

I just spoke to my husband and took a depression test in front of him. I even read out what it all means. He told me I don't have any of it and taking every feeling I feel and said I'm not going through in such an extent and I'm lying to myself to escape the fact that Im lazy and I've always been lazy and accepting and changing is much easier then going to a psychiatrist! He even told that every one goes through depression in phases in life and they read self help books and pull they self together like he did by reading a ton of self help books. I think either I'm wrong and acting it all for attention or need to help myself alone by meeting a counsellor and GP. I'm questioning my relationship now? 😓 with everything I'm going through.

not really got any advice, but I had depression during and after my second pregnancy. I was offered antidepressants & given info about risks to the baby but I was unable to process it and make the decision. I was also in the states and didn't have much understanding of the healthcare system over there and basically got lost in the system. I was very low for a long time, but I survived and so did my kid. She's fine. I spent a long time worrying about it. But she's fine and I'm fine. She's 8 now. Good luck with your decision and know you're not alone x

Please listen to medical professionals and not your husband! He is not capable of diagnosing mental illness properly.

Also, how dare he tell you how you're feeling? They're YOUR feelings, not his. I'm starting to think that a lot of your depression could be caused by living with someone who persistently disregards your feelings and tells you you're wrong about yourself...

It sounds like your husband is at best misinformed.... definitely speak to your GP alone and take it from there.

Thanks @BoomyBooms for such a sweet message I missed that last few messages before. Thats really helpful. Thank you

Thanks @IslayBrigid that is helpful

@Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket @Wilding Yes I know he is being rude.. I will seek professional medical help and see where things go from there. Just so broken and hurt but I’m not sure what is going on.. will I get through all this like @Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket? Am I lazy and lying to myself? Am I just spoilt from childhood want things easy by just lying around? Or am I depressed? Why am I so lost? I’ll speak to my counsellor and see. @BloomyBlooms I will seek medical help by myself and see where things go from there. Also I don’t have any friends I can speak such things to and I did speak to 2 girls they just want to party and drink and all.. they are not interested in my depressive life or the life I've been living from few years.( momming and sad) they don’t come and pull me out or meet me out either. I don’t meet anyone and have zero girls time or my time outside for myself(it’s a task to get out) .. I definitely have social anxiety. I just hope I start to do normal things soon happily. Instead of feeling this alone.. my only interaction is my daughter who speaks non stop and my husband. I’ll figure this thing out.
Thanks everyone.

Best of luck willi - I hope everything gets better for you and your GP can give you some help

Hi everyone, I went through the toughest phase during pregnancy, but took help and got medication sertraline Zoloft 50mg and got better with my anxiety and depression a little which helped during pregnancy. And now gave birth to a healthy baby on July 14 during the pandemic! Normal delivery and She is now 2 and half months, heavies fine, and smiles so much at me. I am on Zoloft 100 mg and breast feeding now.. and doing better in years. Thank you so much for all your messages! It helped ❤️

Weighs* fine

Really pleased that you found help and are in a better place. X

Great news OP!