Depression during pregnancy

It is important to get the help you need if you suffer from depression!

Depression During Pregnancy

Some women experience periods of sadness during their pregnancy and some women will experience depression. The depression may be slight, moderate or quite severe for some expectant mothers. Women that are most likely to have depression during pregnancy already have a history of depression. If you have symptoms of depression while you are pregnant, it is important to seek treatment. If depression is left untreated it can worsen and may be harmful for both mother or baby.

Causes of depression are different for different people. Some women may be more prone to develop depression and others may experience life changing events that trigger the condition. Some expectant mothers do not feel good during pregnancy and this can lead to further complications. Death, job changes, family changes, relationship issues and other factors can all lead to depression.

Symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. However, some of the most common signs of depression are changes in appetite, decreased interest in activities that are normally pleasurable, changes in sleeping habits, fatigue, sad mood, lack of concentration, feelings of guilt, suicidal thoughts, restlessness and irritability with friends and family. Occasionally, some of the symptoms that women experience can be overlooked because they may be normal during pregnancy. Women that feel alone and do not seek help for their depression are more likely to not eat properly, rest properly and often lack prenatal care. This can be harmful to the developing baby's health and growth.

Depression can be dealt with in different ways and the condition is treatable with proper medical care. Often times depression can make you feel like there is nothing that can be done. This is simply not true and the feeling will get better with treatment. If women do not treat depression during pregnancy, they may be more likely to suffer from postpartum depression as well.

If you suffer from the symptoms of depression, you should contact your doctor to talk about treatment options. There are a variety of options available that are safe during pregnancy. Your caregiver may recommend medications that are safe during pregnancy. You should also consider what medications are safe to take after pregnancy if you choose to breastfeed. You might also be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist that will talk with you and help to relieve some of the depressed feelings. You should not take any herbs or dietary supplements designed for depression without receiving consent from your healthcare provider. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these supplements and they might not be safe for pregnancy women or their growing babies.

Often times, women that experience minimal feelings of depression can overcome their thoughts by talking to friends and family. Having a strong support system can sometimes be all that is needed for some women. Ask for help around the house with chores, food preparations and other tasks that need taken care of. Eating a healthy diet and exercising during pregnancy has been shown to help relieve the symptoms of depression. If you decide to exercise, talk to your doctor about a routine that is safe during pregnancy. You should aim to do something physical for 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Exercising a little will give you more energy and a sense of accomplishment. Because stress triggers depression, you should try to minimize the stress in your life or at least learn to deal with it. Make sure that you allow yourself plenty of rest time. Getting a good night's sleep is important for a healthy pregnancy and can prevent the feelings of depression. Finally, make sure that you leave time for yourself. Take time to do things that you enjoy, even if you do not feel like it. More than likely, once you begin the activity it will become fun again. Be realistic in your expectations about pregnancy and new motherhood. Changes can be hard to adapt to but with time and support, most changes can be overcome.

More than anything, enjoy your pregnancy. This is an important time in your life. Write down your feelings in a journal and try to focus on happy thoughts, memories and feelings. Finding out what sex the baby is, feeling your baby move for the first time and hearing its' heartbeat are all exciting parts of pregnancy. Document your feelings and look back on them when you are feeling down.

Comments: Depression during pregnancy

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terriebigbum - 48 days ago.
I too have suffered with crushing depression for over twenty years. I was on hefty meds for fifteen years, including during my first pregnancy. My daughter is happy, well adjusted and stable so nothing bad to report as a result of takings the meds. However, prolonged use of antidepressants is bad for us. There is an alternative that doesn't involve 'positive thinking' or changes on diet - homeopathy!! I have been using it to treat my depression and anxiety very successfully for over three months now and will continue for the duration of my second pregnancy. My practitioner said that pregnant women using it often emerge incredibly strong and well adjusted after the pregnancy too and has no side effects or harmful effects on the baby and is safe during breast feeding. I was terrified coming off the meds, but I needn't have been. Best thing I ever did :D

ashleymoore03 - 63 days ago.
Hi torris.. i too am on meds for depression and high anxiety.i am bipolar n quit taking meds aS Soon as i found out i was prego. I am now 31 weeks n had to start taking meds again 2 weeks ago.i wasnt wanting to because i was afraid it would harm the baby but i was so hormonal n out of order sleeping all the time. I pray for my baby daily.. found out that the imbalance was worse for baby thn takn the meds. Wish you the best with ur pregnancy :)

torris - 73 days ago.
Hello All- this is my first time on this website but I was looking for some support. This is my FIRST pregnancy. I am 6 weeks 1 day today. I have a history of chronic depression and anxiety. I have been on medications my ENTIRE life. I found out I was pregnant and stopped all medications cold turkey. Since then I have seen a genetic counselor ( god send) and she said if the benefits out weight the risks then an anti-depressant is OK!! So I restarted on my Celexa 20 mg. I have since needed a refill and my PCP who gives me the medication REFUSES to refill it. I am so upset. Just the two days cold turkey were enough to scare me. I saw my OB nurse today and they may refill it for me. I hope so because I am so scared something will happen if I don't take it. It isnt as easy to ' think of something else' or 'find something to keep you busy'. NO if you suffer from depression it is NOT that easy. Compared to other medications Celexa has the lowest placenta cross over. Some studies report NO risk to the fetus. In animal studies they should a retial defect. BUT the animals are usually given 3-4 times the dose a human would get. So in my opinion as a Nurse. If you have depression and are on medication continue through the pregnancy at the lowest dose possible. The benefits of having a healthy and mentally stable person are far far greater then the 'risks'. Women have comitted suicide because they were taken off medication during pregnancy. Depression is a CHEMICAL imbalance. Pregnancy is a HORMONAL and therefore CHEMICAL change as well. I can't imagine not being on my depression medication. Pregnancy is hard enough on its own let alone pregnancy and depression.

mktaphr - 145 days ago.
I recently read a book that helped me a lot with my depression. I think the main point of it was really helpful. That the sufferer should first and foremost seek help and then take an active approach to make sure that they are healing along with finding a partner to help them on their journey. Also, it kind of opened my eyes to the different foods that can really worsen people's depression because of the different chemicals in the foods and how they can affect you. I know it doesn't seem like it but what I've discovered is that the little things all add up and can have a big impact on the way you feel. Feel better! The name of the book was 'you can cure your depression' by the way

diss0lvedgir1 - 473 days ago.
Hi I stopped taking my effexor when I got pregnant, but then my depression caught up with me and I was a moody unfun pscho! My psychiatrist my ob set me up with gave a low dose of Celexa to get me on the right track. Honestly I am nervous because of potential side effects on the baby, but does my current child, myself and my husband have to suffer when I don't take them? I have a beautiful but very willful 2.5 year old and I can't handle anything in my current state, I noticed my mood equalizing to be within a acceptable range just this first day!!!! I hold hope that the baby will be ok and not as overwhelmed with my crazy emotion filled hormones and stress passed through their umbilical cord. For Niki I say stay strong and try and go off them a month before baby is born, hopefully they help!!!! Hopefully this let's you know you aren't alone in your struggles, it sucks to feel like a different and incapable person immobilized by ranging hormones.... But I hold hope as well that our doctors are right in getting us to a healthier state of mind.

Niki917 - 494 days ago.
I have had depression since I was about 14-15 years old, I am now aalomst 23 and I have had to stop my pills again for my pregnancy. Since dh and I were trying I weaned my self off before hand and was fine for the first couple of months but now I am having a really hard time. I normally actually look to my dog for support but since we are renting and they do not allow us to have him i don't have him with me. He is staying with my dad and it makes it really hard to think that I can't have him with me all the time. I got a guinea pig to try and take some of that stress that my dog would help with but it hasn't worked as well as I hoped. I am running out of ideas and I have a 2 year old that I want to be happy around and it is a constant struggle...anyone have any ideas of what else to do??

fallenangle86 - 558 days ago.
i have been feeling very depressed for the last 5 months ( im 20 weeks 2 days now), me & dh keep arguing. I just feel really stressed all the time. & i feel like i get no support from dh its making me feel like im not worth anything( i feel so lonely as well.....i just want to shut myself away in a room & not come out again until the babies due. has anyone else been on anti-depressants when pregnant? i talked with my doc cuz im concered (i have been on meds most of my life for depression an anxity an for the last 4 years i have been off them, i didnt take them with my first child, but after he was born i had post partum depression an never went to the doc about it ) so the doc knowing this put me on an anti depressant (Celexa). i just started taking it today. if any of you have been on any meds like this?

msteach64 - 650 days ago.
My best friend is moving far away this week. I'm due any day now and am so depressed. I needed her here to support me. She was the support system that picked up the slack that my husband left. Now I cry all the time, fight with my husband. I'm scared about what this is going to mean for me after I deliver. If I am this bad now how much worse will I be when my hormones plummet after delivery.

amyes87 (blue) - 701 days ago.
Hi ladies, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar, and was diagnosed with depression & anxiety before that, I was on an anti-depressant called Cymbalta for 7 months, and was still on them when I found out I was pregnant. I have now successfully been weaned off them over 2 weeks, I'm 8 weeks pregnant and so far haven't had any complications, I also had no withdrawal symptoms. So if anyone is on anti depressants I strongly recommend talking to your doctor straight away about getting weaned off them, DO NOT go off them cold turkey (: Hope this helps

ballerinagirl - 732 days ago.
Hi! I'm new here and am not sure this is the right forum for this question, but here goes... My husband and I are about to start TTC (AF is due in 2 days) and I have suffered for a long time from depression and anxiety. I currently take a low dose of Lexapro and am not sure if it (or any other SSRI) is safe during pregnancy. I see my MD in another 2 weeks, so I will definitely ask her then, but wondered if any of you lovely ladies had thoughts to share on SSRIs and pregnancy. I definitely do NOT cope well off of them, unfortunately.

Lilmissesmum- - 741 days ago.
hey weegee your not the only one, I don't know if its depression or whether it is just hormones because I had postnatal with DD and this is diferent from that but if you need to off load just msg me happy to be an ear to listen if thats what you need :)

xweegeex - 741 days ago.
i have been feeling very depressed recently, cant stop crying & me & dh keep arguing. I just feel really stressed all the time. & i feel like i get no support from dh :( its making me feel like i am crazy or that i need help :*( i feel so lonely as well.....i jst want to shut myself away in a room & not come out again until the babies due, i know thats not right but its how i feel. i dont know wot to do....

chany - 747 days ago.
jaylajewel!!! I have 3 boys and they are 6,3 and 2, they frustrate me all the time and stress me out no sleep and always into things. I love my children and it does take a certain person to be able to deal with 2 or more young children, it will take some time but you will get through it :) I know I did good luck

older1sttimemom2be - 750 days ago.
jayjewel: it really hurts me to hear you say you don't want your baby, when I am 41 years old and don't have any children, and have been trying to get pregnant with no luck since we lost our baby at 14 weeks. Perhaps you should have thought it through before getting pregnant, or used birth control to prevent the pregnancy. I am sure the feelings you are having will pass. Maybe you could get help from a family member to look after your toddler so you can rest? Mother? Mother in law? Tell your husband to pitch in more, or even your 12 year old should be able to help out.

jaylajewel - 750 days ago.
well this is my 5th pregnancy at age 35 i'm 33 wks emotional and stressed,depressed who knos.. I swear my 2 1/2 yr old is gonna make me go into labor..he is my youngest my son before him will be 12 next month...so i'm not used 2 dealing with a little one and I'm feeling overwhelmed he's always into everything...and now i'm having another one I don't want and I feel bad for thinking like that but i'm scared idk if I can handle 2 little ones at this age...with work and my hours and I'm not sure his dad is gonna be much help we will see i'm just so stressed and tired of crying

fdstripled - 783 days ago.
I have bipolar disorder. I am not pregnant right now. I just had my 5th loss 2 months ago. I am use to the ups and downs but I just can't seem to find the one thing to pull me out of this depression, I get depressed when I am pregnant but it feels different and I know it is from the hormones. Pregnancy can be very stressful especially if something in your live is already causing you stress.Finding someone to talk to who understands depression is uncontrollable helps.

brownbear78 - 785 days ago.
hmm...not sure what to type, other than i know i am currently suffering through depression. decided to join a pregnancy forum thinking this would help when im up late and feeling extremely alone. =\

fatema_7866@hotmail.co.uk - 817 days ago.
guys u not mental u just suffering from high level of hormons. That causing the way u feel, try to beat it and if u still can't with help with friend family partner or councler then after all your attempts, then i would suggest u go to a physcitrist or taking any antidepresents, my gp did advice me not to take antidepresent as there is a chance of miscarage and complications, i realy feel that try by fighting the depresion other ways like i did. I did it with peoples help and support and snapping out of it and i belive u can do it to. Good luck hope my advice helped x

trying4third - 818 days ago.
For all of you who are, or think you are, suffering from depression during you pregnancy, PLEASE go see a pyschiatrist! NOT a counselor but someone who can actually prescribe meds for you. I suffered for 7 months with depression to the point that I tried to commit suicide 4 seperate times and almost left my husband and my two children. I have been on Zoloft for about a month and there has been a HUGE improvement. I still have my bad days but I no longer feel hopeless or worthless. For those of you contemplating abortion, PLEASE try antidepressants before decided to end your pregnancy. That, as you know, is a permanent decision that you cannot ever take back. What if the urge to have an abortion is simply because of the depression? Pregnancy can be very difficult but there are ways to make it better. I am still not enjoying my pregnancy but with the zoloft and only 8 weeks left to go I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am very grateful that I never managed to actually succeed at suicide or leaving my husband and children. I am also very glad that I have continued to carry this baby and will, God willing, give birth to a healthy baby girl in April. Please get help if you feel that you are suffering from depression.

trying4third - 818 days ago.
For all of you who are, or think you are, suffering from depression during you pregnancy, PLEASE go see a pyschiatrist! NOT a counselor but someone who can actually prescribe meds for you. I suffered for 7 months with depression to the point that I tried to commit suicide 4 seperate times and almost left my husband and my two children. I have been on Zoloft for about a month and there has been a HUGE improvement. I still have my bad days but I no longer feel hopeless or worthless. For those of you contemplating abortion, PLEASE try antidepressants before decided to end your pregnancy. That, as you know, is a permanent decision that you cannot ever take back. What if the urge to have an abortion is simply because of the depression? Pregnancy can be very difficult but there are ways to make it better. I am still not enjoying my pregnancy but with the zoloft and only 8 weeks left to go I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am very grateful that I never managed to actually succeed at suicide or leaving my husband and children. I am also very glad that I have continued to carry this baby and will, God willing, give birth to a healthy baby girl in April. Please get help if you feel that you are suffering from depression.

trying4third - 818 days ago.
For all of you who are, or think you are, suffering from depression during you pregnancy, PLEASE go see a pyschiatrist! NOT a counselor but someone who can actually prescribe meds for you. I suffered for 7 months with depression to the point that I tried to commit suicide 4 seperate times and almost left my husband and my two children. I have been on Zoloft for about a month and there has been a HUGE improvement. I still have my bad days but I no longer feel hopeless or worthless. For those of you contemplating abortion, PLEASE try antidepressants before decided to end your pregnancy. That, as you know, is a permanent decision that you cannot ever take back. What if the urge to have an abortion is simply because of the depression? Pregnancy can be very difficult but there are ways to make it better. I am still not enjoying my pregnancy but with the zoloft and only 8 weeks left to go I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am very grateful that I never managed to actually succeed at suicide or leaving my husband and children. I am also very glad that I have continued to carry this baby and will, God willing, give birth to a healthy baby girl in April. Please get help if you feel that you are suffering from depression.

fatema_7866@hotmail.co.uk - 818 days ago.
hi guys my names fatema and am 10weeks 4days pregnent, i just wana share my little 3week lasting depresion story, i was in my 5th week when i found out i was pregnent and like every1 here i was over welmed as i have been trying 2yearz afta my miscarage, finaly i got my good news, the next day i felt as a thunder had stroked me, i had no idea what suddenly just happend to me, i was constantly crying i pushed every1 out my life after a few days as no1 understud. I locked my self in bed cryed and cryed 4 no reason at all, after aweek i felt so down that i felt i just wanted to end my life of course i wouldn't dare to do that, but thats how bad it got, i knew at that poing i needed help for sake of my two kidz, coz i couldn't look after them, i went to so many people for help but it was a fail, then i went hospital to gyn ward and sadly that ward was for people having miscarage and pain, at the ward one of the nurse who was pregnant had a long talk with me but that didn't help eather, finaly i went to a crisis team at hospital and did some counciling 1to1 with her and that kinda help open my mind, when she said you need your husband to help and support you by taking time of work that same night i sat with my hubz and had along convo and he did relize i realy needed love and help, so he took of 10days from work and took me out everyday and the hardest part was getting out coz i was to depressed, but he realy knew how to drag me out the house. my husbands support love and effort has made me feel like a normal person again. It was a hard time for al of us as i had severe deprision, it's been 2weeks al clear from deprission and now i like to see it as a bad night mare, there was apoint when my hubby said have a abortion coz he was sick of seeing me banging my head on the wall, some time you need help love and attention from your partner coz he needs to relise that you are grown a small babby in you and our hormone in this early stage is extremly high, so ladys seriously don't worry this hard time will pass and it be like it never happend, i still have little panic attacks and get erotated and some time like not to be touched but i know that am pregnant and thats all normal, my deprission has subsided but my throwing up is still thumbs down. And i would like to say that having abortion will may heal your deprision for aday but leave you with pain for a life time, it's not the child fault growning in you it's our self letting us get ourself to deprision.

nickys4thbaby - 824 days ago.
Hi im 12 weeks and 5days prego and i have 4 kids already i know its a few! i have 3 boys and a grl who is 3 and a half years old and im depressed i dont know what to do! My partner wants me to have a abortion which i have had one once before at 17 weeks prego and it was very hard on me about 10 years ago. 3 boys are to my ex husbend and my grl is to my current partner of 7 years .... I feel so sa everytime i think of having abortion i cant stop crying!!! and i remember when i had the abortion at 17 weeks i keep getting like flash backs from then!!! But then i dont know how it would work with 5 kids!!! and if my kids now would suffer??? please someone talk to me ..........

Marine Baby Number 2 On The Way - 824 days ago.
Lately i have been feeling so sad about everything and depressed i hate having this feeling. im up at my parents right now for a visit and i feel home sick while im here. i dont know why im having this horrible sad feeling. i just want to lay in bed and cry. i think having my husband off at training so much has something to do with it, but we talk on the phone and text all the time while he is gone. i dont know what to do about these feelings i am having i feel sometimes worthless and useless. will these feelings go away once my hormones stop being so whacked out? i really hope they do because i dont know how much more of this depression and sadness i can take! anyone else feeling sad lately?

hypervigilant - 830 days ago.
I am 7 weeks pregnant, and have known for about 3 weeks. I was anxious when I found out, as I'm sure is normal with a first pregnancy, but very, very happy. My partner was/is also happy. The problem is that I'm having trouble getting support from my friends. Most of my friends are single and childless and happy that way, and I think some of them are upset with me because I 'left the team' so-to-speak. Some of them have implicitly or explicitly suggested that I have an abortion, as I am dealing with bipolar disorder and recently was laid off from my research job. I find this so painful. I feel rejected and lonely. My family lives on the other side of the country. I was hoping that maybe some of you had similar experiences and that we could connect.