Pregnant and Depressed

I was angry with myself and my body because I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I didn’t understand. My body has done this before; it has carried and birthed a child before this one. So, why isn’t it working the same way? I was confused. The exhaustion, the moodiness, the anxiety wasn’t something I experienced with my first child. My world was crumbling around me; my colleagues didn’t want to be bothered, my future husband thought I made a mistake in choosing him, and my sweet little girl felt abandoned.

Finally, I had enough and told my doctor what was going on. She asked me if I thought about hurting myself. I promptly replied, “No, but I think about punching everyone in the face all the time!” I can laugh about it now, but at the time, it was no laughing matter. She asked me a few more questions, and calmly told me I had perinatal (prenatal) depression and offered me a prescription to help with the anxiety and sleep. When she said what it was, I felt like I was supposed to know what she was talking about, but I had no clue. Of course, I had heard about postpartum depression, but depression while you’re pregnant, never. I have known a ton of pregnant women, and none of them had ever hinted at some of the things I was experiencing. This term was foreign to me. Depressed? Why? I had a great job, a man I loved, a child I adored, a home, stability, and a growing family. What did I have to be depressed about?

You are not alone….

You are not alone. There are times during your motherhood journey you may feel isolated and think what you’re experiencing is just happening to you. I’ve learned that once I opened up about my experience with another mom, I realized how many stories we had in common. Opening up about my trails help me to find comfort and support. We are in this together.

Know the symptoms

If you a pregnant and need help recognizing depression, talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• frequent crying or weepiness

• trouble sleeping (not because of frequent urination)

• extreme fatigue or low energy

• changes in appetite

• loss of enjoyment in once pleasurable activities

• increased anxiety

• trouble feeling connected to your developing baby (called poor fetal attachment)

Also, if you had depression before pregnancy, your symptoms may be more significant during pregnancy than they were before. Pickles & Popsicles partners with another mommy organization that deals explicitly with perinatal and postpartum mood disorders. If you need immediate assistance, please, visit www.momme.rocks. You do not have to face the difficult times alone, let us be your village. For more information on how Pickles & Popsicles can be of service to you, sign up to be a P&P Mama!

We’re in this together!

XOXO,

Whitney

Source: Perinatal Depression: Symptoms and Treatment. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/perinatal-depression