7 wks & struggling with mental health/nausea

[Tomatopasta]

Hi,

I’m really having some trouble at the moment so thought I would come here for advice.

I’m around 7 weeks pregnant with my second child, my first is 3YO.

At the moment I am really struggling with constant nausea and I am also on anti depressants. My mental health has really taken a plunge in the last few weeks, with constant feelings of guilt over taking medication (plus anti sickness tablets now!) and having an impending sense of doom about having a second child. I feel awful knowing so many people would do anything to be in my position, and I should be feeling incredibly lucky.

I’m aware this is probably due to hormones but I’m crying most nights over these feelings and struggling to see past it. I’m worried I will be unable to cope with two children, and feel terrible for this little life inside me who is growing away not knowing how horrific I feel.

I have spoken to the GP who has switched my medication to a more ‘safer’ one, but didn’t say much to address my mental health. I did mention I was struggling but unfortunately it was glossed over.

Just looking for some similar experiences and reassurance. Please help me feel better :(

Hello! I have also had this. I’m pregnant with number 2. I’m not on medication but am 7/8 weeks and started having some really low moments, whereas had been feeling much more positive earlier in the pregnancy.
I think it was triggered by a hospital admission due to a virus. During the admission I was also diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. Anxieties about whether virus/thyroid could have damaged the child are really spiralling for me and getting me down.
Were you feeling more upbeat earlier in the pregnancy? Hopefully these feeling are a hormonal blip that will fade with the nausea!!

@Tomatopasta you certainly shouldn’t feel guilt about staying on your medication. I think new research shows it’s best for mum and baby to keep the status quo when it comes to antidepressants. Could your midwife refer for some extra support/talking therapies? I had understood you could get fast-tracked when you’re pregnant.

Hi @AKB34, sorry to hear about your hospital admission and diagnosis, it must have been quite frightening and I can understand the invasive thoughts about doing harm to the little one. I hope we both start feeling better soon.

I can’t remember much about my first pregnancy but I have only started taking my anti depressants in the last year so perhaps the combination of coming off my existing ones to transition, plus all the nausea is what is causing me to feel this way.

To be honest I can’t say I have felt positive because now I feel fearful that I will become overwhelmed looking after two children. Luckily I have lots of family support, but I think my irrational thoughts and anxieties have really amplified in the last 7 weeks. My first pregnancy was surrounded by excitement, and I don’t think I felt as sick…

I agree, I have been reassured many times that being on medication is likely to be better for me and my baby, but I can’t shake this for some reason!

Yes I definitely need to raise the idea of therapy with GP/midwife. Thank you so much for responding, and feel free to update and let me know how you are feeling.

Definitely speak to your midwife - there is lots of support that they can put in place. Unfortunately I had post natal mental health problems after my first so this pregnancy they were very pro active in helping me prepare for/manage the same again. As you have an existing mental health condition they should be discussing it with you during your appointments I'd have thought.
I felt exactly the same guilt and panic about coping with 2 and it would come in waves over the pregnancy. But I would tell myself that I will cope because I have to and that lots of women have this age gap or smaller. Just try to take things one day at a time