Worried About Post-Partum Depression?

Question

I am 6 months pregnant and have been pretty depressed since the beginning of my pregnancy and stressed out about almost everything. I am worried that I may develop post-partum depression after the baby is born. My mother had it when she had me and her mother had it when my mother was born (so she gave my mother up for adoption). I know it runs in the family, but I'm worried that in some way, it may be a little different with me. My mom said that when she had post-partum depression, she was worrying that I was crying all the time and she felt bad because she didn't understand what I wanted. What I'm wondering is: If you feel depressed about other things--like how your life has drastically changed all of a sudden, that motherhood isn't as glamorous as you pictured, if you feel down because your mate is giving the baby more attention to the baby than to you, is that still part of or a form of post-partum depression? Does anyone ever feel like that, and is it shunned in parenthood to feel like that? Just thinking what it may be like for me..any help would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

You seem to have a lot of risk factors for PPD. But depression can start before the birth.  Also, the depression can be manifested as anxiety.  It's the severity and duration that determine the diagnosis of PPD.  

If you are worried, tell your OB/GYN, as you might not recognize yourself having a problem if you end up developing this later.

Answer 2

I think you are probably over whelmed and because of stories from your mother you are causing yourself extra worry.Try to take care of yourself and stay healthy and when the baby comes you will be soo happy depression will be a far off thought that wont bother you. Dint let stories tell you how you are going to be with your baby. Not many people have totally happy carefree pregnancy's. There is discomfort, worry, physical tiredness and much more but we all get over it knowing we are making someone no one else can make and love. When you have your baby watch out for being tired and run down..I mean it will happen but be aware of it and dont let it become all that you are. Good luck and congrats on new baby!

Answer 3

Absolutely not.  Post partum depression is a very true and serious thing.  If you feel yourself slipping you should contact your doctor.  Remember your hormones are on the ride of their life!  I'm not going to sugar coat it for you ... the first bit with a new baby will probably be the craziest thing you've ever experienced.  You might experience all those things you mentioned and even a few more.  I never been a big sleeper before I had my baby so I figure, no biggy since I'm up at all hours anyway.  I was wrong.  A newborn can bring sleep deprevation to a new level, which also pulls you down in the dumps.  But rest assured, there is a light shining at the end of the tunnel!  Focus on the blessing it is to have your baby and try to stay positive!  Be sure to ask for help when you think you need it!!  There is no shame or blame in that!!  Keep the lines of communication open.  Sleep when the baby sleeps, who cares if there's dishes to be done... they'll get done eventually.  Eat well balanced meals, don't fret about the weight you will still have on you... it'll disapear in time.  You're going to make mistakes, but hey, we all do.  Doesn't make you a bad mom.  Sometimes baby's cry and it can be very frusterating and upsetting when you don't know how to help them, but you just have to truck on, you'll find a solution.  Start with the diaper, hungry or needing a cuddle, you may also have a baby with colic, in which case there's over the counter remedies for that... Continue to take your prenatal vitamins and I also read that iron (they will probably begin to give you a supplement just after giving birth at the hospital) can help combat the baby blues!  If you ever have thoughts of harming your baby (and I'm being serious as I've heard it can come to that) please talk to someone and get proper help straight away.  Anyways, before you know it, the newborn blur will pass, routines will settle in and you'll be feeling like yourself again.  Try not to worry about this to much now... you may surprise yourself and not have the blues at all!!!  Best wishes! =)

Answer 4

postpartum depression varies with each person hun . I went thru it with two of my 8 prenancys . and both times were different . You just have to tell yourself it will be ok . Some people even get help for it . mine was real bad with one of my children i cried all the time and felt i couldn't do anything right . but it went away . but that doesn't mean that is what will happen with you .Now as far as the jealousy part . if you  are a jealous person that is very likely . Some daddy's do give the baby lots of attention . but always remember that is a time for you to rest for a bit . If daddy playing with baby take ten minutes to self take shower or go for walk to clear head. Getting time away from the baby helps alot .. good luck  

Answer 5

I was worried about PPD when I was pregnant, too.  My mom had it really bad when I was born and she had it for almost a year.  I guess I got lucky because I never had it, but I did do a lot of research about it just in case.

1.  Omega 3's have been linked to helping with depression.  You can get it from fish or flax seeds or from chicken or eggs that were fed fish oils or flax seed.  Omega 3's have also been linked to higher IQ's for the baby.

2.  Nutrition is important.  Skipping meals can really hurt you if you are experiencing mild depression.  Make sure to keep taking your prenatal vitamin and eat meals and snacks.

3.  Dehydration is your enemy.  This goes along with the food.  Keep a basket with water, snacks and books so that when you sit down to nurse your baby you will have all those things handy.

4.  Avoid sugar.  You know how when you eat sugar you get a short high followed by a low?  If you are depressed this can be exacerbated by the low from the sugar so avoid it.

5.  Get some sun light.  Getting some sun light on your skin will be good for you and the baby.  There are more cases of depression in the winter because people don't get as much sun light then as they do in the summer.

6.  Talk to friends.  Find some adult time each day either in person or on the phone.  This can be tricky.  Before you have your baby, find out what kinds of support groups are out there for new moms.  La Leche League is great even though it is mostly about breast feeding, it is also about parenting and it is nice to talk to other moms.  It might also help to have a buddy.  This person would preferably be a woman who has had depression who would be in charge of calling you every day to check up on you and make sure you are eating your meals and drinking water.

Remember, the tricky thing about depression is that it is a chemical reaction in your body and the things that can help are exactly the things that depressed people tend not to do.  Feeling down for the first two weeks is common, but if you feel down after that, then it is time to get help.

Good luck

Answer 6

From what I understand, post-partum depression is when your baby blues have carried on for an extended amount of time.  Most new mothers go through periods of frustration and anxiety.  I'm the happiest person I know, but I was really weepy and weird the first week or two after I had my daughter.  I was frustrated with breastfeeding, with not having enough sleep, with this whole overwhelming sense of responsibility that I'd wanted for so long but never realized the gravity of, etc.  I was constantly fearful of what might happen to her (I even worked out what would happen if someone tried to break into the house and rape me- CRAZY!!).  That's totally normal though.  If it continues for a while though, then you should seek help.  I don't think it's shunned in parenthood unless you're a scientologist. :)  There are medicines you can take for it, and lots of women continue taking them even when their babies get older.  The best advice any of us can give you though, is to NOT expect it to happen.  There's a lot to be said about self-fulfilling prophecies when it comes to how our minds and emotions work.  Expect to take the challenge of motherhood head on, and know that it's okay to be out of sorts for a while.  Congrats, and best wishes!    

Answer 7

well during my 2 week post partum depression i was crying for all those reasons and more. For instance i kept thinking of babies in orphanages and unwanted babies and I was looking at my own who was so helpless and fragile and would burst out crying. I was crying because i thought i didn't love her enough, i felt bad that she didn't have a better mother than me, that I couldn't make all her discomforts go away. I was even crying because my husband was being so understanding.

Ultimately however, the reason i was crying was because my hormones were just out of whack and i was sooooo exhausted from being up almost non-stop and breastfeeding around the clock.

For the most part however I think it was the hormones, because somehow, miraculously, at 2 weeks pp everything stopped. I cried maybe only once in my 3rd week as a mother. It's like someone had turned the faucet off. i was still tired, deliriously sometimes, but I was no longer losing it.

It would've helped me tremendously if someone had told me that it is normal and would've reassured me that it all goes away. You just have to take everything day by day and moment by moment. Just think of the diaper you have to change and the feeding you have to do now. Don't think of the thousands of feedings you will have to do throughout the first year or whatever. Just think, I will do this now and rest as soon as i can. No baby cries forever or feeds forever. They do sleep, even if it's sporadic and not deep. Sometimes it feels like 3 hours are an eternity, but it will pass. everything does.

With the grace of God, i must say I've made it and it wasn't that bad. I'm not sure how mothers go through this 4 or 5 or 10 times but since they can it means we all can.

Praying all will go well!

Answer 8

You should talk to your dr. about this. He/she will know what treatment is best for you. I preferred prozac for mine. It doesn't have all the side effects as the other meds out there.

Answer 9

I have a history of anxiety and OCD and was living in a basement apt. when I had my baby. I was so worried I would get depressed after having her. The thing to do is make sure your spouse is aware of your fear, and to watch for signs of depression. When I had my baby I became so afraid something would happen to her that I stayed up all night watching her and of course not sleeping will take it's toll on you. If you feel anxiety or any feelings you don't think you should be feeling after you have your baby just talk to someone right away. Don't hide any feelings you have. Make sure to get out of the house a lot, and go for walks with the baby. IT is a big change, and certainly not easy. Breast feeding alone is a full time job, and can be difficult at first, but will eventually get better. You'll be just fine! All the best to you!