Antenatal depression

[USER18888]

Evening everyone, I just want to talk about antenatal depression and if anyone has/is suffering?
I've not spoken about this in the real world yet but I've done some research this evening and feel like I may be suffering?
No history of depression or really any reason to be depressed so cant explain why I feel like I do, it feels so wrong to discuss in real life because I should feel so happy.
Dont get me wrong, I am so happy I'm pregnant. I'm 25 weeks now, and I just keep crying. I feel so sad all the time and I feel like I have nothing to look forward to. I dont look forward to weekends after work all week, I have no motivation anymore. I feel absolutely shattered and generally cant be bothered. Then begin having thoughts if this is for me?? Is that bad? I worry something is always wrong with the baby, worry about birth all the time and something going wrong?
Like I've said, no real reason why I feel like this. I know how lucky i am to be pregnant and have this amazing thing happening to me.

Doesn’t sound like depression. More like anxiety.

Awww Hun - I think it’s probably hormones and it’s normal - I feel down and I’m only 5 weeks ! But I think it can be the extreme tiredness and stomach cramps and not having the energy- I don’t think it’s anything to worry about - sounds normal and just to allow yourself to have these down days process it and then focus on the things you are looking forward to may help :) also definitely make sure you are relaxing and looking after yourself as that can lead to feeling down- why not text a friend and/ or plan something nice with your partner - this pandemic sucks aswell as I think that’s got people down as well with shutting part of the country it’s all abit unknown just remember that you are pregnant when the world is altogether gone abit insane at the moment ! Xxx deffo try and distract yourself as well o find that helps xx

I would definitely talk to your midwife about how you're feeling. They are really hot on mental health now and can arrange for you to be assessed and get support if you need it.
I suffered from post natal anxiety and depression and sadly it got to crisis point before I got any support. Even if you don't need any support, it's best to be open and get on their radar so they can keep an eye on you throughout your pregnancy and after.
It is likely that hormones are playing a big part in your mental health, but that doesn't mean you don't need to look after your mental health.
My PND was almost certainly heavily caused by my hormones, my crisis points coincided with my menstrual cycle (I didn't have a crisis whilst on my period, but I was getting a crisis every 6 weeks which was the cycle my periods were on, if that makes sense).
But whatever the cause of how I was feeling, the strategies I learnt from the perinatal mental health team and the support they gave me helped me back to the totally well person I now am.

I disagree with a couple of the earlier posters - it does sound like it could be depression (I had depression pre-pregnancy and it's resurfaced in recent weeks - I'm 26 weeks). The hormonal changes have made it worse for me and much more difficult for me to "pick myself up" using some of the CBT techniques I learned in the past.

The best thing to do is contact the midwife and potentially your gp - even if they think the best thing to do at the moment is to monitor you, at least you'll know someone is keeping an eye on you. And they may well direct you to talk therapy or the perinatal mental health team.

Take it easy on yourself - there doesn't need to be a "reason" for you to get depression, that's what makes it such a b*tch! And it lies to you, and makes you doubt yourself, but seeking help early on is a sign of strength. Big hugs.

Thanks everyone.
I'm just conscious that maybe crying this much isnt normal and will maybe have a negative impact on my baby!
My mum suggested a short time ago it may be depression because I'm crying this much but I brushed it off as hormones but now it feels different.
I dont know. Maybe I'll discuss with my midwife at my next appointment.

Hello - I would speak to your midwife and make and appt with your GP (which you can probably do quicker). I was the same as you, and have no history of anxiety or depression - infact quite the opposite. A very happy, outgoing, sociable person. But at about 12 weeks I was hit by all the things you list.

It all came to a head at my 16 week appt (which was over the phone to start with ) when I just broke down. My midwife took it very seriously, she told me to come to see her that afternoon - she made various referrals, which were fastracked. I was having CBT within 2 weeks and have been transferred to consultant led. My doctor signed me off work immediately.

Please don't let people tell you "it's just hormones". You know you, and you know when something isn't right. Trust yourself. Talk to your midwife/GP - they care, take it seriously, are trained to know when you need help. It's ok to have help - from experience just admitting something was wrong, and talking about how I was feeling started to help. If you can, confide in a friend or your partner - they care too, and will want to best for you.

Sending you lots of support. I hope this helps.x

Hi i didn’t want to read and run! I posted a new thread not long ago as i’m feeling same. 34 weeks and Very anxious and possibly depressed so i’m not much help but i just wanted to let you know you are not on your own 💐

Thanks both above.
It just feels more than hormones, when it was hormones I could laugh the crying off but genuinely feel sad.
What is CBT? Its hard to actually say it out loud, I dont even what I would say to someone without sounding silly.
back to you both x