Anyone else out there with ante-natal depression?

[Enthusia]

I am in my 9th week of my first pg and have been finding it very hard going. I have gone from being a highly motivated person to someone who can't even get off the sofa. I have no willingness to do anything and do not take pleasure in things I used to. I also cry very easily and find it hard to control my emotions. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there I could talk to so I do not feel so alone in this. I feel I should be blooming and happy, but I really do not feel it.

I had my first appointment with the midwife yesterday and she said that I have classic symptoms of ante-natal depression and said I should see my doctor as soon as possible. My mum suffered from post natal depression with me and in the last two years has been diagnosed with a lack of seretonin (happiness hormones), the midwife thinks that my normal coping strategies with my hormones have gone out the window now because the pg has caused a hormonal imbalance.

I am going to see my doctor on Monday but could really do with a chat with anyone also going through this, or who has been through it. I feel a bit of a freak.

I haven't but another mumsnetter set up a site to support women going through this, I think it's here

Thanks for the link, that has helped me to see there are others out there, and that unfortunately they have had it harder than me (so far) I am glad I am getting treated nice and early!!!

I had it during my second pregnancy & did not say anything, as I didn't know about anti natal depression & thought people expected me to be happy because I was pregnant.
I really wish that I had talked to my MW now, because I ended up with PND after the birth.
If it had been caught early in the pregnancy that may have been avoided.
You are doing the right thing.
Best of luck.

Hi. I had problems with OCD and depression during my PG - ended up on Prozac at 30 weeks, which I found very hopeful. I think the statistic for depression during PG is quite staggeringly high - something like one in ten - so you are definitely not alone in feeling like this - I know how tough it is to feel like you are the world's only unhappy and ungrateful PG woman, but believe me you are not. It is great that it has been spotted nice and early - with me the warning signs I think were there pretty much from the start of the PG, but I didn't seek treatment till 20 weeks, and didn't stat meds till 30 weeks. You have bags of time to get yourself sorted/treated now and to enjoy the rest of your PG.

There is a thread on here that I will fish out for you about mnetters who felt miserable/grotty/depressed during PG

the other thread on pg/feeling low here:

here

Hi op, I had quite bad depression during my first trimester, but since moving into second it has improved massively. I think the hormones were really doing a number on me. I got some help from the ante-natal mental health team and that has helped too. I think I’m going to go on anti depressants close to due date as they say I’m at high risk of post natal depression, but right now I feel so much better. You’re not alone, and honestly the first trimester hormones are a nightmare, you might find your mood starts to improve soon x

I haven’t experienced it but it is more common than postnatal depression but people don’t talk about it so many people don’t even know it exists.

Hi OP,

Firstly, I’m so sorry you’re going through this and please do ever feel like you are a ‘freak’. Your body is going through some immense changes and your hormones will be all over the place.

I was very, very low in my first trimester. I was too ashamed to say anything to my midwife, or anyone other than my partner. Or maybe not even ashamed, it was more then I wanted to just be left alone. The fact that you’ve spoken up to your midwife is amazing and means you can start to get help when you need it.

For me, I lost all sense of joy or happiness. I was constantly crying, felt so alone (but also wanted to be alone) and even considered not going through with the pregnancy. We had a lot of medical issues with the pregnancy which also didn’t help the situation. I felt so helpless. I felt like there must be something wrong with me because all of these other people that were pregnant were so happy and I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t.

I look back now and realise just what a dark place I was really in. I was lucky that my partner was so supportive and as time went by I started to feel better. I couldn’t pin point a time or day when I felt better, but gradually, over time, and definitely in my second trimester, I started to feel happier and more me again. There are times when I have my low points but nothing like before and I look back and realise what a crazy ride it is with our hormones.

I want you to know that it does get better, that the best thing you can do is seek help, which you have done, and that you are not, and never will be alone.

Wishing you so many good thoughts and wishes in your pregnancy.

My inbox is always open if you want to chat.

Just realised this is a post back from 2005! But for anyone that comes across this, my message still stands and please always feel like you can chat x

I’ve just seen this is actually a really old post! But to anyone that comes across this my message of support still stands x