Mom to Be Seeking Advice

It is great that you are noticing the difference. I know you probably feel horrible about it and know from your statement that you hate the feelings.

Please call your doctor and let him know what is going on. It is probably just all of the changes in hormones. There are little things you can do. Keep a chart/diary of how you are feeling. When you start feeling really angry, right down what you are feeling. Just getting it out can help to alleviate some of the feeling. Also, keep track of what you are eating. During my pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes. I noticed a correlation to my feeling depressed or easily angered for little or no reason to when my sugars were dropping low. You may not be diabetic but with everything else going on and a 3 year old, your sugars may be running low when you are feeling that way.

While it is probably just normal hormones, let your doctor know because it may signify that you may be more prone to postpartum depression with this one as well. If you and your doctor are tracking it, you will be more likely to know if it becomes something more serious that you need to deal with in another way.

I had my 3rd child 7 months ago. The other 2 are 8 years and 3 years old. (The oldest a girl, the younger 2 boys). Some other advice. Try to rest during the day. Break down and let the three year old watch some television that you are not interested in so that you can lie on the couch and close your eyes for a bit. When things become a little overwhelming, call a friend or your mom or someone you trust just to talk. Doesn't matter what you talk about. Sometimes you just need the adult conversation. If things get to feeling to overwhelming at home with your 3 year old, load your daughter into the car and head to a McDonalds or a Mall with a play area. Get yourself a frilly drink and watch her play somewhere that you don't have to clean up when she is done. Sometimes it is little things like this that can make a big difference in your day and your outlook. Remember, it doesn't have to be someplace that will cost you money. The park and the mall play areas are free. If you don't mind shelling out a little money occasionally, the Mall at Robinson and Pittsburgh Mills Mall both have Giggles and Smiles (a pay by the 15 minutes increment play area and babysits your child for you so that you can shop the mall while they play. They are pretty reasonable.). Also, look into a Moms Group like the MOMS Club of Pittsburgh East. (I belong to that one.) Sometimes just having a playdate where your child gets to play with another child and you get to talk to an adult can make a big difference too.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your pregnancy and your 3 year old.

L.,
It's wonderful that you're seeking help in dealing with this difficult time. Kudos to you.
I would second the suggestions to talk to your doctor, as well as people that you are close to. A support network is so important, particularly as your husband works night-shift and may not able to give you many breaks from the constant job that is motherhood.
Blessings to you!

doggone pregnancy! It will pass!! Be patient! You must be having a girl!
Good luck!
~C.

Like everyone else said, pregnancy does affect your moods. My midwife suggested a vitamin B6 supplement. Also, be sure that you are getting enough rest as well.
I felt this way with my last 2 pregnancies, now I get like this every month around the time of my period.

Congratulations!!!

you are pregnant and your hormones can make you feel out of sorts. i think that you are probably lonely with your husband working the night shifts. see if there is a mom's group that you can join. may be your daughter likes gymnastics. do something with yourself so you do not become bored. may be go for walks or see if you can join a water aerobics class. exercise releases endorphins which give you a natural high. exercise is good for you and the baby that is on the way.

Hi L.,
Have you perhaps forgotten the way your brain cells seem to die off during pregnancy, totally disappear after delivery & then slowly reappear after a year or two? LOL! My suspicion is that you had gotten all of your brain cells back after 3 years, only to find that they are now disappearing once again! Just kidding--relax, you are probably just mentally preparing for what's to come--those hectic newborn days!
Seriously, if you continue to feel out-of-sorts, I'd mention it at your next appointment, but I think you are just going through that "haywire pregnancy thing"! Good luck to you and congratulations on you soon-to-be-bundle"!

It is possible to have Post Pardum Depression before you give birth. Please talk to your doctor and tell him how you are feeling!

Hi L. ,

I am a mother of three 18,7 and 3yrs. I went through the same thing with my first child and couldn't understand what was wrong until I brought it up to my OB he said some people actually go through Post partum depression during pregnancy its rare but it can happen. It got me later in my pregnancy around 6-7 months, bring this up to your doctor like I siad mine was 18yrs ago so there wasn't much they could do, the next two it didn't bother me at all. I hope this helps.

M. Fay

L.,
yes it is ok for you to be feeling frustrated and cranky. don't forget your hormones are out of whack plus you have another child . that is tiring . don't worry things get better and who knows maybe your having a girl. lol they say that when a mom is cranky and frustrated it is a girl lol. good luck and let me know how your doing
M.

Each pregnancy can be very different within each woman. It's not unusual at all to have depression during and after pregnancy. Hormones are crazy little things that can make life wonderful, or down right crazy. If it's anger, frustration and depression you're feeling, I'd call your doc and at the very least make them aware of how you're feeling and reacting. They may be able to help in some way to cope. If they're no help, as in "that happens!" then seek a second opinion else where. Sometimes you can be depressed and don't realize it. Others may have to point it out to you, especially if it comes out in other ways besides the typical "sad, mopey, sleeping" symptoms. People react to depression in different ways. Seek medical advice and good luck!

I have one word. PROZAC! It works wonders. And you would be surprised at how many mothers are taking it.

Hi L.,

Every pregnancy is different. More than likely it is just the change in hormones. With my one pregnancy, I would cry for no reason at all. That feeling only lasted a month. So rest assured that you will start to feel better.

Congratulations!!!!

L.,

I invite you to review my blog about perinatal depression at http://buoyforperinatalblues.blogspot.com/

Here you will find various forms of support and information.

Antenatal depression is actually more common than postpartum depression, but it is under reported....

If you would like to chat with me further, feel free to e-mail me at ____@____.com

T.

L., you should mention this to your OB and ask him/her if your prenatal vitamins contain Omega 3. Omega 3's do wonders for mood swings, depression, PMS...

Don't be so hard on yourself, you are raising a three year old and you are pregnant. You probably also feel exhausted and that could be part of the reason you are feeling the way you do. Best of luck planning your Mickey Mouse Party! It sounds like fun!

When you become pregnant the body kicks DOWN the thyroid levels to protect the developing fetus. Any change in the thyroid can and does change the overall body and effects every organ.
I would touch base with your Dr. and have them do a cbc panel.
Check the thyroid levels
and see if your glucose is impacted. This too can impact your mood if you are expereiencing dips or drops in insulin.
All things I have experienced during and post pregnancy.

I hope your mood lightens and your feeling a bit better. With my first child I don't think I began to feel ok until about 16 weeks -- everything was just OFF.
Having a child on Prozac, I do not feel that it is the solution to many things and signals from the body are just that. Signals that something needs more attention. Prozac is a suppressent, a stabilizer and if all else is cleared only then should be approached for those in need. Just my observation please feel free to take or leave it.

Good luck.

It sounds like pregnancy depression, which is more common than you think! I would definitely talk to your OB/GYN, there are meds that are safe to take while pregnant. Please get help now because it is possible for this to turn into PPD after the delivery.

I am glad you asked because many women internalize these feelings, ignore them and chalk them up to "pregnancy hormones".

Good luck!

Are you spending enough time alone?

It could be that it is a boy and the hormones are all off. That happened with me at the beginning of my pregnancy.

Good luck!
~meg