Question for Moms Who Were Depressed And/or Anxious During Pregnancy

I did not suffer from actual depression or anxiety during the pregnancies but I did suffer from it afterward...post-partum. It was enough to have to take low doses of medication to get back on track. It happens. Looking back on everything, I am willing to bet that I was also slightly anxious during the pregnancies but chalked it up to just being a new parent with our first or an exhausted one with our second. I have two daughters. What I can tell you is that both of my kids were born overdue...one 14 days overdue and the other 5 days overdue. Labor was fine, both healthy and no issues. They are grown up young ladies now in college and might I add that each of them is wicked smart!! Both graduated in the top five of their class and they are also doing the same in college in their majors. Neither of them suffers from anxiety or depression but I do watch for this because it is hereditary and it has been passed down through my side of the family. Please enjoy your pregnancy. Keep you OB/GYN informed about how you currently feel. That is important and she/he can help you with your feelings. You deserve to lavish in this wonderful time of becoming a Mom....so be kind to yourself and also let your doctors in so they can help you from a medical standpoint if need be. Please be extra diligent after the baby is born in regards to depression. This is when it will hit like a freight train and you can become overwhelmed easily. Have a plan and a support system in place. Make sure your husband understands what to look for and how to help you if you need it. Good luck and enjoy all that is coming your way. My two girls have brought me so much happiness and J.. I wish the same for you!!

I have pretty bad anxiety to begin with but pregnancy certainly worsened it. I had a really hard pregnancy which fueled the fire more. It was horrible. Anxiety is never good for you or your baby. I can report that my son does not appear harmed by my anxiety in any way. He was normal weight. He was a good-natured infant and easy going toddler.. I worry more about how my anxiety will affect him as an adult. Try to work through your feelings and find some support. I can't say if your pregnancy is being harmed by your anxiety but it's probably not being helped. Odds are that your little baby is just fine....wishing you the best!

Most doctors believe that anxiety and depression does effect the baby. However, as someone who suffers from MDD, OCD, and PTSD I have found it to have little to no effect. All of my children have been completely healthy at birth and have had no major medical or psychological problems since birth.

Now the downside.... I was a lot worse during my pregnancies. Most anxiety and depression meds can't be taken during pregnancy. As such my doctor weaned me off all meds during the first trimester. With all the hormone changes, my anxiety and depression skyrocketed, panic attacks were frequent and insomnia became my new ritual. Mood swings were also common and all in all i was erratic at best.

Therapy can help, as well as exercise, yoga, and a sound diet. I also found herbal remedies can help lessen the symptoms but PLEASE talk to your doctor or OBGYN/Midwife before taking ANYTHING!!!!!!!! There are some that are perfectly fine during pregnancy and others that could do immense harm to your baby, so PLEASE be careful!

anxiety and depression CAN affect a pregnancy. it's hard to say whether the traits a child may later exhibit are the result of genes, or from living with an anxious, depressed parent.
i was suffering low-grade anxiety throughout my second child's gestation and early years. he was an enormous baby. very easy, though. had (and still has) some existential angst, a lot of allergies. had some insecurities and anger issues as a little fellow, most of which seem to be resolved in adulthood.
no clue how much of it is hard-wired and how much 'my fault.' i can't think that bending my brain over it would be helpful in any way at all.
i'm not sure what to do about such large-scale and all-encompassing anxiety. are you in therapy?
khairete
S.

Have you talked with your doctor about ways to manage your anxiety. Regular walking noticably helps me. I've had counselling to help me think differently which helps me be less anxious. It'called cognitive something. It's somewhat similar to the positive thinking philosophy of the past.

I have been anxious and depressed to one degree or another since becoming an adult. My mom and her mom were depressed. My counselors have said my difficulty is likely at least partly inherited. I've done research and found two ways of thinking about this. Perhaps rather than being genetic, our experiences starting in the womb have made us prone to anxiety and depression. It makes sense that if you grow up with anxious and depressed people you will learn those attitudes from your parents. Perhas the hormones secreted during pregnancy makes the child more prone to anxiety and depression. Know one knows for sure.

I've never been pregnant. Over the years and meds have helped me manage it. My daughter took meds until she became pregnant with her first two. She was worried, anxious and depressed with her first pregnancies. Those two children are dealing with their own anxiety and depression. Their mom has continued to be anxious and depressed for most of their lives. She wentered back on meds with Counseling after the birthday of her 4th child, who is now two. She show's no signs od anxiety/ depression. She has been the easiest baby evendors thow Mom was lesz anoxious aND depression during both of her last two pregnancies. The 4 yo is anxious.

All to illustrate that the argument is still there. Is it nurture or nature.