prenatal depression advice

[stareyes76]

hello im looking for some help and advice. i think i have prenatal depession. im off to the doctors tomorrow. im crying 24/7 and feeling really low. i just want some advice really. im scared the doctor will give me tablets or something which im worried about taking as i don't wanna hurt my baby. feeling like a bit of a failure. im a first time mum to be who has had lots of blood loss at the begining but they couldn't find a reason.
i would be greatful for any advice or support people could offer.

cheers guys.

Glad to hear that appointment went well. Just thought I'd add a further bit of advice; I'm a doctor & have worked in a peri-natal psychiatry clinic.
I'm not sure how far along in your pregnancy you are & if you have given thought to breastfeeding your baby. If you're keen to breastfeed and are considering starting medication, I would discuss Sertaline with your GP. There is evidence that it is not harmful in pregnancy & it's also safe to take while breastfeeding, so it would mean that you could continue on the same medication after your baby's birth if needed.
Sertraline works in the same way as Citalopram, so it may be something you might consider.
HTH.

Well done you! Good luck with all decisions and recovery!

I CAN NOT THANKS EVERYONE ENOUGH FOR ALL TEH HELP AND SUPPORT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME.
i have been talking to my husband and i think we have decided to take the tablets. i will have a chat with the dr about if i can still breast fed on them as it does say that after studies online. we have done hours research on them. lol.

Good for you. Well done for going to the doctors. I know it may feel really awful at the moment, but give it a few weeks for the treatment to kick in, and it will start to get better. Promise! Until then, just be as kind to yourself as you can. You need a LOT of TLC at the moment xxx

Well done for seeking help stareyes. You are doing the best possible thing for your baby as it is in its interest that you are happy and healthy. I hope you will soon start feeling better. All the best

Hi Stareyes,

I am currently 7 months pregnant with my first baby and have been taking Citalopram since before my pregnancy. Just to reassure you, everything is going well and baby is very healthy, as am I. There is no way I would consider coming off them as I know that I simply would not be able to cope. The tablets do take some time to get used to and will knock you out at first, if you are still feeling this side effect when you are due to return to work, I would ask your doctor to give you an extra week off, as you should feel balanced by three weeks in. Another thing is to make sure that you do get out and about during your time off work, I was so worried about bumping in to people from work when I was off that I hid in the house, which made it unnecessarily hard to get back to work. Swimming is a great idea, I try to go as often as possible and it certainly has a positive effect, so keep this up. Depression is an illness and should not be ignored, you have taken the first step today, well done. I would really really recommend you take the tablets and treat yourself kindly. Eat your favourite foods, get plenty of fresh air, meet up with friends for tea and cake, do some antenatal yoga and meditation, read inspiring books (although your concentration may be off for some time when you start taking the meds). Also make sure you keep talking to people; friends and DH.
Keep us posted as to how it goes and if you need to vent / chat / ask questions then there are always people here.

oh whats wrong with me. Iv been awake all night worried that if i take the the tablets my baby will be allergic to them and die. But iv read somewhere that a stressed mum could end up in premature labour. I don't know what to do. I have 2 hours left to decide. What should i do. Im so scared of hurting her. X

oh whats wrong with me. Iv been awake all night worried that if i take the the tablets my baby will be allergic to them and die. But iv read somewhere that a stressed mum could end up in premature labour. I don't know what to do. I have 2 hours left to decide. What should i do. Im so scared of hurting her. X

oh whats wrong with me. Iv been awake all night worried that if i take the the tablets my baby will be allergic to them and die. But iv read somewhere that a stressed mum could end up in premature labour. I don't know what to do. I have 2 hours left to decide. What should i do. Im so scared of hurting her. X

oh im 25 weeks pregnant and 24 years old. I don't really know if it counts or matters or anything.

I am on 20 mg of Citalopram - it's wondeful and I couldn't be without it and I am 8 weeks pregnant. Don't worry. I was on 40mg right through my first pregnancy and managed fine. You are not alone, and you are certainly not the only person on Citalopram. The midwives had seen it all when I went into labour and made sure I had my tablets with me, and were great. Don't worry honey it'll all be fine!!

iv just taken my first tablet and im getting scared. I keep thinking im going to kill her or something. Im so worried. X

Then call your doctor and ask him. He'll prob tell you he has given it to tons of people, everybody has been fine and to go ahead and take them. It'll make you feel better to hear it from him. He isn't going to give you something that will harm the baby.

There isn't only the premature labour thing, I think, I've heard that there is also effects of chemical imbalance on the brain development of the baby. I think there was thread. You do want to take care of yourself. :-)