Wondering If Anyone Can Help with 2Nd Pregnanct Depression

I completely can relate to you. I just had my second in December and felt completely depressed. I did not feel as supported with the second pregnancy and just run down. I work in childcare and can relate to how you are feeling. Feel free to contact me if you just need to vent; I have been there! ____@____.com

Sincerely,
Robin

Hi C.. I am glad you reached out for help...that is sometimes the hardest part! I suffered postpartum depression after the birth of my son. I first went to my ob/gyne for help, but they just prescribed something to me over the phone and sent me on my way, which didn't work. I ended up seeking out a psychiatrist. I would HIGHLY recommend seeking a psychiatrist who will do a full assessment and monitor you regularly throughout the pregnancy after. I see Dr. Marlene Cassino in Naperville.
1288 Rickert Dr. Suite 300
Naperville
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Hang in there...help is on the way.

Hi C.,

I was depressed during and after my 1st pregnancy and didn't do anything about it. I encountered depression once again last year after some major life changes. The first time, the depression went away on it's own but the second time I had to get help. I was feeling just like you describe and I am so happy I went to my doctor and asked for help. There are anti-depressants that are safe to take during pregnancy. I know a few people who have had to do that and didn't have any problems. It sounds like your depression would be considered "situational" due to a life changing event (being pregnant and hormonal) but you would really benefit from short term use of medication. Don't wait until it's too late.

Good luck!

Hi, C.!

I'm so sorry that you are battling depression. Please know that so many people suffer from it and that it is something that can be treated and can be overcome. And, unfortunately, husbands, friends, children -- as wonderful as they are -- cannot release you from the sadness and darkness. Are you in a position to get professional counseling? Have you notified your doctor?

This may be as temporary as 14 weeks (when you are due) as I have a dear friend that suffers from depression only during her pregnancies. She plans for it (she has 4 kids) by scheduling the kids with her husband, in-laws and sitters, so that she can have time to take care of herself. She is in full communication with her doctor and she is put on medication to relieve her from the depression almost immediately after her baby is born.

You are doing a good thing by researching and asking questions!

I hope this helps!

C.-
I don't know specifically about depression during a 2nd pregnancy, but depression in general. First of all, always remember you are not crazy and this is not something that is all in your mind. Also, it is very difficult for men to understand the hormonal issues we have.

Here are a few things I have found to make a world of difference:

-Yoga: many studios now offer classes for pregnant women. I have found yoga regulates my hormones better than anything else.
-Medidation: even a few minutes at a time will help. A great book on meditation is called "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind."
-Food: Eat food as close to coming out of the ground as possible (fresh fruits and vegies, whole grains). Stay away from processed food. Stay away from refined sugar. Limit wheat (especially white flour).
-Exercise/fresh air: try to get out for a walk every day, even if it's just around the block.
-Prayer: Reading the Bible, meditating on God's word, and talking to God has helped me through some very difficult times and helped me deal with some pretty severe depression.

Good luck and congrats on your baby!

Please call your OB today! You don't need to feel this way. It's not your fault and there is NOTHING wrong with you/how you are feeling.

Everyone gets the blues. Maybe it's situational? Maybe it's pregnancy horomones? Maybe it's stress?

Regardless, there is help. My dear SIL had this with her third pregnancy. She would break out in tears for "no reason" almost daily. She is now convinced that somehow the pregnancy changed her chemical makeup. She went on her "little blue happy pill" while she was about 20 weeks along. She is still on it. She said she has tried to get off it /forgotten to take it some days and knows VERY soon thereafter that something is wrong with her. She said now, with three kids under 7, without it she is cranky, yelling and feels out of control. With it, she is even keeled, much more tolerant and happier.

Trust your instincts. You know that something is wrong. Talk to your doctor today. EVERYONE will be much happier you did. Most importantly, you will feel better able to handle all life has in store for you.

HUGS

Great advice by Kim. Talk with your OB.

Hi C.,
I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and feel good.. When I was about 30 weeks pregnant I got the same thing. I completly lost all my energy and cried all the time for NO reason at all. I never had that with my 1st. It lested about a month and went away on it's own... I have a wonderfull husband, so what helped me a lot he would take my 2 yr old son out almost everyday or just let me go upstairs and relax or just cry it out for a bit. Also I would leave the house just to go to the grocery store would help, and then one day it just went away ;-) It must be our crazy hormones, and I'm back to normal now ;-) getting excited about the baby coming soon. I wish you all the best-A. ;-)

Hi C.!

I am so sorry that you are feeling so depressed. I was extremely depressed during my second pregnancy as well. My son had passed away a few months before I got pregnant with my daughter, so that just added to all of the hormonal changes. I did several things that helped me. Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B. I was deficient in Vitamin B which can cause depression. Also, try to exercise for 20-30 min. 4-5 times per week. I know it's hard to find time when you have a child running around, but it will make a huge difference! I felt better after exercising for 1 week. This should help you to sleep better at night too! Another thing I started doing was reading books by Joyce Meyer and listening to some of her lectures. She is so motivating!! I'd be happy to chat with you if you'd like to talk to someone that has been through this before. My email is ____@____.com. Please feel free to contact me any time! Hope you are feeling better soon. :)

A. G

C., I'm so sorry you're going through this depression. I found if I really watched my food intake, particularly vegetable intake - made sure I got plenty of them - it helped. Also, talk to your doc about a possible prescription to get you through this. They can prescribe some meds while pregnant.
Good luck!
D.

I would call your ob-gyn and have he/she recommend someone for you to see. They probably will know people who specialize in depression w/pregnancy. I'm not sure they can give you medication while you're pregnant but they should be able to at least do some talk therapy with you. Linden Oaks at Edward Hospital in Naperville also has a walk-in clinic where they can assess you & give recommendations. I believe the assessment might be free. Luckily I have not struggled with depression myself but it does run in my family and it can be awful. I don't think any of us can truly understand what it is like unless we have experienced it. Please get some help ASAP so you and your family can enjoy this special time. There is nothing wrong with asking for help & if you are depressed, getting help may be the only way to get better. Best of luck to you, your husband & your beautiful little girls!

Here is the name of a psychologist who specifically works with women who have depression during pregnancy and/or after pregnancy:

Dr. Rubeena Mian
545 Plainfield Road Suite E.
Willowbrook, IL
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I had the same thing with my second pregnancy with a 2 and a half yr old at home. And my husband also was not very understanding. My advice would be to go on a mini trip with some friends or family, that might help. And also, try to do things that used to make you happy. For example, I scrap booked a lot, shopped and went to dinner with friends. If your husband isn't going to help you feel better, your friends will. Good luck and just know these feeling will pass as soon as you get to hold your new baby girl:)

I just want to say good for you for reaching out and knowing you may need some assistance. Your doctor should be able to help if not ask for a referal to a counselor or therapist, maybe talking to a professional can help you work through this. Just remember your horomones are all wacked out and it's normal for your emotions to be on a roller coaster right now. Good luck-we are all here to support you.

Hi C.,
I have two children that are 2 years apart. Please hang in there and know that things will get better. I went through the same thing with my second pregnancey. Your body is going through alot of changes and you have to take it easy. I don't know if you are apart of a faith community, but that helps alot. I had pre-term labor with both of my children and it was scary. Just know that when you need time for yourself...do it. It is extremely important!

Happy New Year and All the Best!

I agree with the others - definitely see a doctor about possible meds/talk therapy. But I will tell you that when I discovered I was pregnant with my second I was very depressed and sad. I felt trapped, that I would never get my life back etc. It did end though and my second was my daughter who from the moment she was born was a complete delight - easy baby, wonderful disposition and just beautiful and lovely to this day (she is 13).

So get help and don't give up!! Good luck.

I had PPD after having my 1st daughter, and I did not take medications prescribed by my midwives. I wish I did. It's really not fair to yourself to suffer, as there are so many support groups and meds that are SAFE to take.
For more personal accounts of someone who has gone through it, I read dooce.com--she's funny and articulate about all aspects of her life, but especially her ongoing issues with depression--during, post her pregnancies.
Get the support you need--start calling TODAY. You are not alone.

I would definitely let your doctor know this. I'm afraid if not, it will turn into severe PPD after your baby is born and having experienced that, I know it's not something I ever want to deal with again. It turned my life upside down and I wasn't expecting it. I had a non-supportive husband at first. I had to go on some medication for a short time to get through it. Since you have a "heads up" to it, I would try to take care of it now before you have your baby. Good luck with everything!

C. get yourself to your ob today. Call and tell the receptionist that you would like to speak to your provider, you are not feeling well. They should have your provider call back the same day. Tell your ob everything about how you are feeling and go in to see him/her. They should give you some options today wether that means some medication, therapy, whatever. Try and get your husband to go with you and have the doctor explain things to him, you need his support. Depression is very common in pregnancy, please don't let yourself feel this way another day, reach out to your doctor and get some help. Take care.

I felt that way in my first pregnancy. They talk about post partum depression ad nauseum but never mention perinatal depression which affects 10% of women, apparently yourself and me included.

I'm also a teacher and remember that when my students were good i felt good about hte pregnancy and when they were bad I became worried that my kid would wind up like that too. I was very depressed.

There is therapy for perinatal depression and I believe even pills you can take that won't affect the fetus but I'm not sure. My depression did ebb by about 17 wks so I didn't go those routes, though if it happened to me again I would because that would've helped a lot.

As for your husband, I think that knowledge is power and the best help will be to share any knowledge you have about perinatal depression with him. If you read a pamphlet on it, give it to him, etc.

Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Hi C.,

I was depressed prior to and during my 2nd pregnancy because I was scared about having another baby. My first child was a difficult baby and toddler and ended up having sensory integration issues. I had already had previous episodes of depression (it runs in my family), and have a psychiatrist. She prescribed Zoloft for me to take during my pregnancies. It is supposed to be one of the "safest" anti-depressants. A lot of studies have been done on it to test the safety, etc., during pregnancy. Anyway, you should consult your OB/GYN about a referral to a psychiatrist. Talk therapy with a psychologist would also be helpful. Good luck!

M.

I had become pregnant shortly after having my first baby. I had gone on anti-depressants after breast feeding (4 months) my first. Then 7 months later I became pregnant. I went off the meds. I was miserable during that pregnancy. Crying all the time. Told my friend I felt "trapped". I didn't do anything but just got through it...I only breast fed her for 2 months because I was so sad. I went back on meds. I am still on them. I feel so much better. It is very important to find the right ones, and a good therapist. Do not suffer.
Good luck!