Though pregnancy usually evokes overwhelming joy, it is also a stressful occasion for most females. For individuals whose fetus is at high risk of developing malformations and various hereditary diseases, the stress is elevated. Throughout pregnancy, physiological and hormonal changes produce a completely unique and sometimes uncomfortable feeling to most mothers. Additional to that, when pregnancy is nearing term, stress may be appreciably increased as anxiety builds up about the result of the pregnancy, baby care, and lifestyle changes which come soon after delivery. Being pregnant is indeed a major stressor that can produce or even unmask depressive tendencies of some females.

* Depression is a psychological disorder wherein the individual presents with depressed mood, loss of curiosity to almost anything which includes pleasure, feelings of low self-worth, disturbed sleep, altered appetite, low energy and poor concentration.

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My sister who is 20 is 6 months preg with first child, she is not in a good situation (with a guy who thinks hes too good to work, they are living with his mom who really doesnt want them there, he does not treat her well) she is extremly depressed and over emotional to the point shes had to go to the hospital, she is not normally like this at all. Does this mean that things may get worse after this baby is born? Is postpardem depression more likely with her?

I have 2 children. One 6 and one 13 months. I’m almost 7 months pregnant and stay at home everyday. I don’t have any friends anymore my stepsister/ best friend quit talking to me b/c she doesn’t like my boyfriend (father of my 3 children) I’m low income and live in a rural area and can’t afford to go out and do much. I would love to get a job, but I can’t afford daycare and rent on minimum wage (that’s all the jobs pay in my area). I used to spend time with my mom but she hasn’t been around much lately b/c my stepdad has aggressive cancer and gets daily treatment and hour away. I just really feel alone lately and don’t know what to do. I have nothing to look forward to. My boyfriend works a lot so I don’t even see him that often. I was being treated for postpartum depression when I got pregnant but had to quit taking med due to pregnancy. And I no longer go to counseling b/c I felt like I wasn’t doing much talking- my counselor mostly chit chatted about her grandkids. I wake up everyday not wanting to get out of bed b/c I know all there is to do is clean. I plan to start school in the fall, but that’s still 3 months away. Has anyone else ever felt like this? What can I do to make things better? .

I’m 6 weeks pregnant with my 4th baby. I have been suffering from anxiety and panic disorder for the past 6 months with no treatment. Gets worse during period times also. My pregnancy has been going well up to about a week ago. My anxiety is sooo much worse. Its making me dizzy and spaced out, palpitations often, feeling depressed and just feeling like myself. I was so happy and now I am a wreck! I’m not even happy to be pregnant anymore, I almost feel like keeping myself in the house all day and never going anywhere. I have 4 other kids to take care of. Im afraid I will not cope and will fall into a deeep depression and anxiety state. What do I do? Havent been to doc yet cause waiting for my insurance to kick in. What will happen if I tell him how im feeling? What treatment is available for me? I cant go on like this for 9 months!!! Hubby works long hours so hard for him to help me out!

I refused medication for depression this pregnancy. How can I make sure I don’t have post pardum depression too? i just can’t, I am single and will have 2 kids to take care of after delivery
I am not taking anti depressents for personal reasons. I am depresed this pregnancy.. how what can I do to make sure it stops after labour?

i have always had a history of mental health conditions i have depression and ocd but i have never been on medication because my parents didn’t believe in that sort of thing. while i have been pregnant i have been so depressed and anxious. i can’t even sleep and at 26 weeks i have started losing weight my boy friend of a few years, the father, said to me yesterday that i had changed so much over the past year and how im just sad all the time i know it hurts him to see me cry for no real reason so i try to hide it in front of him. im just wondering if it will get any worse after i give birth, are there any depression medications that are safe with breastfeeding. i am talking to my doctor of coarse just wanted some suggestions. Thanks

Does being depressed during pregnancy make a woman more likely to experience postpartum depression?

Please provide medical links/knowledge or your direct experience, not what you think could happen.

Thanks

Depression is a type of illness that affects the whole body, mood and thoughts. It affects your self esteem, the way you eat, sleep, feel and do your day to day activities. People with severe depressive illness can’t even pull themselves together and without proper treatment the symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years.

The symptoms of depression may vary from person to person, but generally include many of the following symptoms. You no longer seem to think like you used to think. You start to experience problems with concentration and it can get hard for you to make even simple decisions. You start to feel negative about the whole world. Pessimism, poor self-esteem, excessive guilt, and self-criticism are some of the most common feelings that characterize the state of depression. Individuals suffering from severe depressive illness often have suicidal tendencies.

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If you think that depression is exclusive to women, you cannot be more wrong. Depression is actually a condition that can affect men and women alike. Women may probably be just more vocal and open about how they feel. They are also more likely to seek help when they think that they are already getting depressed. On the contrary, a lot of men do not want to accept their condition or they are afraid to express how they feel, much less seek help even from friends and family. The reason behind this inhibition to articulate what they feel lies primarily on the expectation that men should be stronger, less emotional, more successful, and be in better control of the situation than women.

Well, there are a lot of things that may cause depression in men; but, the following are the most common:

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As amazing as bringing a new life into this world may be, the price to pay is very big. Almost any woman want’ s at one point in her life to have children, and are willing do almost anything in their powers to make their dream come true.

What most of them do not now is what the sacrifices are, even when pregnant. Serious changes take place in their bodies and being pregnant is sometimes overwhelming. That is the reason why, must of them suffer from heavy depressions while they are expecting.

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