Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

Struggling mentally

2 replies

Struggling121 · 16/04/2023 10:19

I'm 26 weeks with my 2nd. My 1st child is 4 & suffered a brain injury at birth. It's taken me a long time, a lot of therapy etc to be 'brave' enough to have another.

I was on antidepressants for anxiety before I got pregnant. I was told by a consultant it's best to avoid antidepressants in pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. So I told myself, it'll be a tough slog, but it's 9 months, then I can go back on them, I just need to get my head down for that time.

In the last few weeks I've noticed my mental
Health decline. Im worries about the pregnancy, the baby, if the same trauma is going to happen this time. I worry about my 4 YO in general. I worry about the impact my mental health is having on my relationship. I have said sorry to DP as I know I'm miserable to be with & live with right now. Im thankful for my job as I'm busy when I'm working & distracted.

I had an honest conversation with my midwife last week about the fact I'm struggling with low mood & anxiety. She said did I want to go back on the tablets. Because we don't know what caused DC 1's brain injury, I just don't want to take anything I don't have to, personal choice. I won't be swayed on that as taking them will ironically make me anxious I just know it.

I just wondered if anyone had ever been in a similar position & can tell me the magic words that it gets better.. because right now i feel like im at the bottom of a very deep hole. Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SouthwestSis · 16/04/2023 10:59

Sorry to hear you are going through this OP. I had a difficult first birth although am not pregnant again yet, I am taking sertraline for anxiety and low mood and will have to decide whether or not to continue this if I have a second pregnancy.
I am hoping to come off it before then and have tried to reduce my dose recently but have found myself become more tearful, but its hard as my 15 month old is going through a phase of terrible sleep (I hope it's a phase anyway!) so that's not helping.

Did your midwife talk about referring you to a perinatal mental health team?
Were you offered a debrief with a midwife or obstetric doctor after your last delivery?

You've done amazing to get to this point in pregnancy without antidepressants but it's not a failure if you do find that going back on them makes your last trimester more manageable. Ultimately what's best for you is what's best for baby (and your 4 year old), as that is what enables you to be the best mum you can be.

Struggling121 · 17/04/2023 22:18

@SouthwestSis Sorry for the delay but I just wanted to thank you for such a kind reply. It really lifted my spirits. Thank you.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread