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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Serious depression in pregnancy - please help :(

41 replies

strawberry0 · 21/11/2021 19:37

I'm posting in the hope someone takes the time to read and reassure me I'm not alone :(

I am 23 weeks pregnant and suffering seriously with my mental health. Some days are ok and some days are awful. This weekend has been the worst so far I have cried since Friday night (it's now Sunday night) and my eyes are chapped and swollen from crying.
The day I found out I was pregnant a dark shadow came over me and it makes me feel so sad and guilty. We planned this baby but the idea of planning for and trying for a baby is far more romantic than the reality!
I cry all the time. I feel disgusting. I feel confused and hopeless every single day. I feel angry to the point where I could punch someone's lights out (this is not the real me I am so laid back normally) I am crap at my job because I can't concentrate. I can't sleep a full night I am only getting about 4 hours at the most and I am exhausted emotionally and physically.
I'm horrible to my partner and my parents who try their best to be there for me.

Please can someone tell me if they have felt this way - I only ever heard of post natal depression not depression during pregnancy. I thought it would be the best time of my life but it's the worst. I feel so guilty that the baby might know I feel this way :( I feel detached from my pregnancy and I feel like the old me who I loved is dead and gone never to return :(

I'm scared to tell my midwife as I'm worried they will jump on me and take my baby away. There is already a big focus on my mental health as I have been on anti depressants in the past and was in a violent relationship.

I haven't told a soul how I feel but for some reason I find it easier to open up to strangers :(

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Emelene · 21/11/2021 19:39

No one will take your baby away, they will want to support you and your baby when they arrive. There is amazing support for mums and families. Please speak to your midwife or GP. It will get better xxx

DontKnowWhatToThink7 · 21/11/2021 19:46

@strawberry0 I'm so sorry you are feeling this way Flowers

Just wanted to reassure you that you're not alone. I was very depressed during my pregnancy and also suffered with Perinatal OCD. Please talk to your midwife, don't suffer in silence like I did. They will not take your any away from you.

My daughter is 7 years old and is the happiest little girl so hasn't been affected at all by my depression. I also managed to get better with a mixture of therapy and medication so just because you are feeling this way now it doesn't mean you will forever.

Have you spoken to your partner about hiw you're feeling?

DontKnowWhatToThink7 · 21/11/2021 19:48

Sorry, there's a few typo's

crimblecrumbles · 21/11/2021 19:55

Sending love 💕 I haven't been in your shoes but I'm sure many have. No one is going to take your baby away. Your body is going through a hell of a lot and your hormones are raging. I'm no doctor but sounds like you definitely have depression. This is a side effect of pregnancy and nothing to do with you as a person. Please talk to your midwife or GP. They WILL be able to help you and you WILL feel better. xxx

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/11/2021 19:57

I had pre natal depression.

Go and get anti depressants ( plenty are safe on pregnancy) it’s a recognised condition.

littlemissalwaystired · 21/11/2021 19:59

As a midwife I just want to reassure you that we would not be wanting to take your baby away. Our concern is your mental health and making sure you're okay! Please please speak to your midwife, this is really common and there's things we can do to helpThanks

allfurcoatnoknickers · 21/11/2021 20:05

I had a double whammy of pre-natal depression and anxiety. No one wanted to take my baby away, I promise. They were mostly very, very worried I was going to harm myself.

I refused medication (because I didn't think I was depressed, I thought I was totally justified in my feelings) but had a weekly appointment with a psychiatrist who specialized in pregnancy mental health and it was very helpful.

As soon as I had DS, it was like someone flipped a switch and I felt totally normal.

Okidokey · 21/11/2021 20:05

I am so sorry that you're feeling this way. I promise you that you're not alone. Reading this made me feel very emotional, please, please seek help. It is not your fault that you feel this way and it is no reflection on you personally or on how you will be as a mum.

I had depression during my third pregnancy. I felt so sad and angry all the time and it took me a while to ask for help. My midwife was incredibly supportive and I had CBT which helped me.

There are several treatment options including therapy and medication. Nobody will take your baby away. Your midwife or your GP will be able to help you. If you need further help there are mental health teams including specialists in perinatal mental health.

I hope you feel able to get help, you really don't have to suffer like this. I wish you all the best.

ParkheadParadise · 21/11/2021 20:07

I had depression with my second pregnancy.
I suffered a traumatic bereavement at 7months. I went to my bed and pulled the duvet cover over my head. It was awful I wanted to be dead really.
I was very lucky in that I had a fantastic GP and midwife. I lost weight and looked awful. I was referring to the Perinatal mental health team.
Please talk to your GP @strawberry0

strawberry0 · 21/11/2021 20:13

Wow I didn't expect so many replies already!
I have tried to tell my partner I feel low but it's hard to get the words out. I don't think he will understand cos he's a man :( also I don't have a close relationship with my mum and don't feel like I can confide in her and if I did the world and his wife would know about it. She's never been bothered about me before until now because I've got something that she wants, a grandchild. I don't know if that's actually how she sees me or if it's my mind making me paranoid. I feel like my identity is gone and my pregnancy now defines me - people treat me like I'm disabled and leave me out of things, they don't talk to me like a normal person with normal interests the only conversation they want is about my pregnancy or the baby! It bores me!
I have sacrificed so much I try my best to look after myself, I take vitimens every day, quit smoking and drinking the day I got a positive pregnancy test! I hate my partner for carrying on as normal while I have to sit there bored out of my mind being careful about everything.

My midwife appointments have mainly been over the phone I have actually only seen a midwife face to face twice!

What happens if they are seriously concerned and get me sectioned??

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strawberry0 · 21/11/2021 20:16

@allfurcoatnoknickers I'm so glad you added that but at the end. I'm praying that the second I lay eyes on my baby all this will be forgotten and it will have all been worth it. I'm desperate to love my baby and feel this overwhelming love people talk about

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allfurcoatnoknickers · 21/11/2021 20:24

@strawberry0 DS was a totally abstract concept until he actually emerged, purple and screaming blue murder and very indignant about being hauled into this world bum first (c-section, breech baby) Grin. Also, I didn't get a rush of love exactly, but I did get a rush of familiarity. I didn't think we'd bonded, but we totally had, just not in the was society tells you you do IYSWIM.

I didn't forget how shit pregnancy was, but if anything it made early motherhood a breeze because it was so much better than being fucking pregnant. DS is 2.5 now and potty training? Better than being pregnant. Cutting a molar? Better than being pregnant. Tantrums? Better than being pregnant.

Love being a mum. Hate being pregnant.

I don't know you, but I doubt they'll section you. You sound a lot like how i was and no one even mentioned the idea. I just got a lot of support and help with coping.

ParkheadParadise · 21/11/2021 20:25

@strawberry0
I told my midwife I didn't want to hold dd when she was born to give her to DH instead. I had a very quick labour 40 mins. When she was born DH told me it was a girl I nearly knocked the midwife on her arse when I reached out to take her.

Pamparam · 21/11/2021 20:50

OP I can’t offer practical advice, only sympathy and encouraging you to listen to those above with experience but I do have lots of experience with people being sectioned. There is very little chance of this happening to you, but the earlier you speak out and get some help for yourself, the less and less likely it is. So please do speak to your partner and midwife. Best of luck to you x

Nikki108 · 21/11/2021 21:29

You're not alone, I've got 2 children 22 months and 12 months. I felt the same as you the minute I fell pregnant with my first. I was depressed, guilty and angry all the time. I was horrible to my family but mainly my partner, I'd argue, shout and lash out at him, honestly I'm amazed he stuck by me. I was in no way, shape or form prepared for what pregnancy would bring my way. I hated the way I looked, the way I felt, I felt completely detached from my growing daughter, even the thought of her being inside me made me feel sick. I was so scared of telling anyone, and being judged, I just bottled everything up. I eventually had a breakdown at my 30 something scan, and everyone was amazing, no-one judged me, they reassured me that everything would be fine and I'd get through this. When I had my daughter I didn't have that rush of love that everyone talks about, but I did have this overwhelming sense or responsibility and protection for my daughter. I was still suffering with severe depression, but was so scared that someone would take her away from me, I told my midwives that I was fine. She was a few weeks old when I told my mum how I was feeling, she called my midwife, who basically told me not to be stupid, the last thing they want to do is take the baby away. They start you with antidepressants, these are not a magic fix, but the do take the edge of how you are feeling so you can focus on recovery, they refered my to the perinatal team, they have peer support workers, nursery nurses, occupational therapists, counsellors, doctors, psychiatrists. They were brilliant, but when I fell pregnant with my second, I went through the whole hiding my feelings again. When he was 7 months I got re-refered to the perinatal team.
This time I was a lot worse, to the point I was planning to take my own life. Even then there was never any talk of taking my children from me. I was offered a place on a mother and baby ward, so they could offer more help to me. Luckily my mother stepped I when she found out how low I was feeling so I am now staying at my parents. Please do not be afraid to ask for help, I think if I had asked for help earlier, and carried on with my treatment I wouldn't be in this situation now.
I find it hard to open up, but you do need to talk to your partner, if you find it hard to verbalise how you are feeling try writing it down. I found a couple of blogs online that pretty much summed up how I was feeling and just text him the links. Chances are he knows somethings up and is worried about you anyway, so telling him might benefit you both. I was the same with my mum, we've never been close or really talked about anything meaningful, but after opening up to her I've found out so much about her, we both suffered depression, loads of stuff we have in common and we are much closer now than I ever thought possible. If you really don't want to let your partner know how you are feeling still talk to your midwife, it was weeks after I spoke to my midwife about my depression that I eventually felt able to tell my partner.
Pregnancy is hardwork, emotionally and physically, but there is help there, you just need to ask, things will get better and you won't feel like this forever xx

Ddraigmawr · 21/11/2021 21:35

Another one who had pre-natal depression here.

I cried in the shower for ages every day, sat on the floor under the water and sobbed.

I got counselling in my third trimester which helped immensely.

I also started feeling better in third trimester too.

I didn't bond with baby immediately after a difficult birth but I did cope with the responsibility and found him delightful a few months later!
Flowers

sjxoxo · 21/11/2021 21:39

@strawberry0 Sounds to me like you need two things fairly urgently- one is to be signed off work so you can get some decent rest and take care of yourself, even if for a week. Second- you need a confidante who can nurture you at this time- do you have a close friend, relative or could you get a doula? Someone who can be your rock when you need and has some knowledge of pregnancy to share. Your partner is the obvious choice but if you would rather someone else that’s fine too!

Sleep deprivation is awful and I think if you can get some rest you will at least have more energy to tackle this if not feel somewhat better after some decent rest.

I am 33weeks and find some days I’m absolutely fine and other days I’m tearful- I know I have some great positives in my life but when I’m down I just feel so blue and negative. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling however you are feeling. Can you find a nice gp who can help you- perhaps that means changing doctor. I did think a doula would be ideal too as this will be someone who can really hold your hand through your pregnancy and birth.

No one will take your baby away- of that you can be certain! Try and take care of yourself. Xoxo

strawberry0 · 21/11/2021 21:49

@Nikki108 thank you for sharing your story with me and I hope you get better Thanks
I'm horrible to my partner. I'm not the nicest to my DSS either I find him very difficult to be around when he's at our house at the weekend. I just want to sit in silence after a mad week at work and I can't because he arrives on Friday night and trashes the house and doesn't shut up till Sunday night when he leaves. Also tonight I've decided im cutting all my friends off and never speaking to them again - I have done this like 5 times in the last couple of months then I change my mind the day after when I'm in a better mood. Im seriously scaring myself :(

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strawberry0 · 21/11/2021 21:53

@sjxoxo I never thought about a doula I might look into that. I know my partner will be hurt though that I didn't turn to him :(
I hate being tearful on a daily basis. I cry on the way to work, in the shower, sometimes when someone's nice to me or gives me a hug I tear up :( I cry about things that haven't happened and make scenarios up in my head of something awful happening. At the moment I keep thinking about my dog dying and I burst into tears or my dad having an accident at work - these are random thoughts that come to my mind and have not happened but yet I get so tearful about them?
My head is up my arse I don't know if im coming or going

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wanderlove · 21/11/2021 21:57

I had pre natal depression. It was awful. I took anti depressants throughout pregnancy. I honestly think it was hormonal as I felt the dark cloud lift as soon as I started labour.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 21/11/2021 22:07

OP, you really aren’t on your own. I fell pregnant by accident at a point in my life when everything was falling apart. I’d also never wanted children so it was a perfect mix for prenatal depression.

I wanted to step in front of a train because I didn’t want to be pregnant but I also couldn’t do it as I had to protect the baby. It was a terrifying time.

I used to get up in the middle of the night and go downstairs to cry. DP had no idea and I did this for months.

It felt better once I’d had DD but even afterwards I had days where it all felt pointless. Overall though, I had the delivery I wanted (ELCS) bottle fed so I didn’t have to do all the night feeds and ensured I stayed in touch with friends to get time away to be back to being me.

I had no treatment (not even really talked about it) but looking back I wish I’d been able to speak to someone and had either antidepressants or a talking therapy.

One thing I found though is when I began talking about it afterwards, lots of people opened up to feeling the same. I just wish I’d known at the time.

OP, speak to a GP or MW but know many, many people go through this and come out the other side with happy healthy babies.

I wish you well for the rest of the pregnancy.

Nikki108 · 21/11/2021 23:38

I'm on the mend now, I'm committed to getting myself back to the 'old me'. And I know what you mean about your DSS. I was the same I'd come home to find the house a mess my 2 step kids running around, shouting, just being kids really. The old rational me would have seen it that way, and probably joined in. I was just so exhausted, and irritable I just couldn't cope with it, I'd end up just sitting in my bedroom or going out instead. I struggled a bit after the birth as well, it's just a bit of a hectic time, but as far as they are concerned now we all get on like we used to, they love thier new brother and sister, they'd pitch in with feeding and other bits, now when they're round they all entertain each other, I get to put my feet up for a bit and just watch them all playing together, which is really nice. My partner put up with a lot, I locked him out the house a couple of times, I hit him, I think I even threatened to kill him once. I can't stress enough how this is not the normal me, and I'm not saying it's OK to do either, but depression is a horrible thing, it changes the way you think and act. I was lucky he stood by me and helped me through it. I struggled with friendships too during my pregnancy, I think it was the constant bombardment of pregnancy related questions, I don't think anyone realised how many times a day I'd answer the same questions over and over. Or how tired I was, I just didn't have the energy to talk to people sometimes. My second pregnancy I even contemplated sending everyone a list of questions and topics to avoid. I still have days when I ignore people, it's just when I've had a bad day like you say. If your starting to scare yourself you really do need to talk to your midwife, they really are lovely about it, and actually everything you've said about how your feeling is normal. Granted its not how you normally feel, but with all the hormones flying around, working, trying to run a household looking after your DSS and all while exhausted and most importantly growing a little human its perfectly normal and acceptable to be feeling like this. There is also I-talk, they are a free talking therapy service, if your pregnant you get priority service, and you can self refer on thier website. The samaritans, is also really helpful I called them for the first time last week and it really helped at the time, especially as it was someone completely anonymous. And Shout have a text helpline 85258, if you'd rather talk to someone without actually talking.

Okidokey · 24/11/2021 10:44

@strawberry0 just wondering how you are doing.

strawberry0 · 24/11/2021 11:04

[quote Okidokey]@strawberry0 just wondering how you are doing. [/quote]
I'm ok thank you so much for asking. I have been ok yesterday and today xxx

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strawberry0 · 24/11/2021 11:06

Thank you to everyone on here for your responses! I honestly didn't expect so many of you to take the time to help me.

I have been ok so far this week, very calm and feeling like myself, however I know it is a vicious cycle and in a few days time i might feel awful again.

I have a doctors appointment booked next week with my lovely gp and I have done this off the back of what you have all said and your advice so thank you for giving me that push Thanks
I hope he can help me in some way xxx

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