I’ve been very depressed for quite a few months now. Since we’ve started TTC, I’ve been worrying about this turning into postpartum depression after I have a little one. Does anyone have any experience with this?
If you have a clinical diagnosis of a mood disorder, either major depression or bipolar disorder, that is a very strong risk factor for postpartum depression. Other risk factors include extremes of age, lack of social support, social isolation, and lower socioeconomic status-- all common-sense major stressors.
It is very normal to feel down after repeatedly being disappointed, especially for something so important, and so desired, as conceiving a child. This is a normal reaction and actually a doctor couldn’t reliably diagnose you with depression at this time, but rather something called adjustment disorder.
That being said, it’s always worth exploring your feelings with your doctor; s/he might decide that you could benefit from some brief supportive psychotherapy (most insurance plans in the US cover 8-12 sessions) or even from a trial of medication.
If its depressed mood, or adjustment disorder, those nearly always resolve after the major life event is satisfactorily resolved. In your case, becoming pregnant! However, if you do have a diagnosis of clinical depression you should absolutely discuss with your GP/psychiatrist any medication changes anticipated during either the conceptin period or during pregnancy and strategies to recognize PPD should it arise.
I’ve struggled with depression a few times in my life. I went through a really rough patch a few years ago… my father died, I had a miscarriage, complete financial turmoil… I remember I kept telling myself I was going to feel better and thinking “What is wrong with me?” but depression sometimes isn’t something you can just snap out of. I went to a counselor a few times, and I ended up needing medication to shake it. Understandably, I was worried about postpartum depression and I went through the very common “baby blues” for a few weeks after [name]Rowan[/name] was born, but it went away. But I also was in a very good state of mind right before I got pregnant/during my pregnancy, and I definitely think that matters. You don’t want to get pregnant while depressed if you can help it, all the hormone fluctuations can cause one hell of a mess. I would talk to someone who is non judgmental and try to work out your feelings, but if you feel like you need professional or pharmaceutical help, seek it out. [name]Don[/name]'t be scared to admit you need some help.
I’ve stopped taking depression medication in order to conceive. I’ve been off my medication since the beginning of [name]January[/name] (we will start TTC maybe next month). I wish so much I could go back on my medication! I’ve been all up and down over the past six weeks. We were initally going to TTC mid-year, but I want to TTC sooner so I can minimise the length of time I’m off my medication. I’m also worried about post-partum depression after I have my baby.
@sarah Some classes of anti-depressants are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy, but others are fine. If you are having difficulty withdrawing from the meds, you should absolutely discuss it with whoever was prescribing them for you and see if you can find something safe to try. Mental health is an important part of pregnancy and motherhood and you need to be in good shape!
Thanks all. I’ve really only talked with my husband about it, and he thinks I should at least see a doctor about it, in case it is something serious. But you hit the nail on the head, blade. I’m definitely very disappointed in constantly coming up negative when I do a test… it’s been really getting me down. But there are other factors too.
balloonsforellie- It took 6 months for us to conceive this baby, which I know isn’t long compared to what some couples wait, but it is depressing getting a negative month after month. I got to the point, where it was depressing me so much, that I refused to really even think about getting pregnant outside of calculating the correct days to try, and I refused to buy any pregnancy tests. I would always test early and get the negative and it was too much. After I started “not thinking about it as much” and stopped buying and using so many tests, it really helped me a lot emotionally. I decided I would only buy a test if my cycle didn’t come on time. Anyhow, those are just some things that helped me. I also had a couple other stress factors going on, unrelated to pregnancy and tried to deal with those properly too. [name]Even[/name] now that I’m pregnant I still have stress, lol, from trying to find a good, supportive doctor to allow me to do a vbac. (vaginal birth after c section) Definitely don’t be afraid to get help from others if you need too. Good luck!