Depression Is a Dilemma for Women in Pregnancy

[ccharles000]

When Sherean Malekzadeh Allen of Marietta, Ga., learned she was pregnant, she was 43, had been married for two years, had gone through two miscarriages and had all but given up hope of having a baby.

But instead of being overjoyed, Ms. Allen was immobilized: panic-ridden, nauseated, listless and thoroughly depressed. She could not rouse herself to go to work in the marketing business she founded and ran, or even get through the newspaper.

And she faced the pregnant woman’s quintessential dilemma: take drugs that might pose a risk to the developing baby, or struggle through an anguishing pregnancy that could harm the baby in other ways?

“Every single thing you put in your body when you’re pregnant, you wonder, ‘Oh, my God, am I growing my baby an extra finger?’ ” Ms. Allen said. “I was worried that I would hurt the baby if I took the pills, and I was worried I would hurt the baby if I didn’t.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/health/06depr.html?_r=1

[ejpoeta]

1. it is a dilemma. I stopped taking my anti depressants during my pregnancy....

and it was rough. I could feel myself getting more depressed. Now I've had my daughter just over a week ago, and have experienced the 'baby blues'.... and wonder when it is safe to start taking the meds again since I am breastfeeding. Pregnancy is tough on a woman in the best of circumstances.... even harder when you have depression or anything else going on too.

[applegrove]

5. Congratulations on your happy news. Do you have a digital camera so you

can biweekly update your baby with photos on the DU? We love to follow the progress of babies in the lounge.

[OhioBlue]

7. congratulations!!!

I had the "baby blues" too. They're very normal as your body is adjusting to hormone levels... and from me... I cried every time I was away from my baby the first few weeks, cried b/c I was afraid I wouldn't be a good enough mom, cried b/c my SO didn't understand, cried b/c I was tired, overwhelmed, etc. it's okay - but be sure you talk to your doc about it.

Also, in my county we had a free home visit by a nurse - I think it is the "help me grow" program. Call you health department and check on it. It is really great to be able to talk to her, discuss your concerns, etc. It really helped me relax - I didn't feel like any family or friends could tell me for sure if his growth was okay, if the crib was safe, etc. I also described to her my "baby blues" feelings, which she assured me was normal, but also gave me advice on what to watch out for and to talk to my doctor if it started getting worse or didn't progressively get better.

You can mention it to your pediatrician too when you take the baby in for checkups.

[ejpoeta]

8. yeah, this is my third child. I only really worry about the 'baby blues' because of my depression

So I am trying to be careful about that. It's amazing how the paranoia never really goes away. With this new one I am still checking if she is too quiet and making sure she is breathing and all that. Though right now she is being fussy. She got thrush. One thing we women are good at is worrying what kind of mothers we are and if we are doing good enough. Feeling guilty about everything. I am breastfeeding and wondering how abby got thrush!! she isn't even two weeks old yet. I actually have left her with her daddy while I took Ashley (4) to preschool which is new. There is no way the other two were out of my sight for at least a month. LOL! Just have to get used to it again. I'll admit I wasn't exactly thrilled when I found out I was pregnant... but I consider myself so lucky to have the ability to have three healthy children and that we are in the position to afford this one. As much as anyone can afford a baby, that is.

I'll keep on top of the depression stuff.... I don't have time to fall apart.

[XemaSab]

2. Extra fingers can be removed

:hide:

[AlienGirl]

4. I would be furious if I'd been born with extra fingers and someone removed 'em!

To my consternation, my physical abnormality isn't something I can show off, except at a topless beach. :-(

Tucker

[AlienGirl]

3. My personal decision was to go off meds the first time, and stay on them the second

With my first baby, I was extremely worried about the potential side effects. I did okay through the pregnancy, but had a severe bout of post-partum depression. When I had to go back on SSRIs I stopped breastfeeding and switched the baby to formula.

With the second baby, two years later, I got pregnant by surprise, and was a couple of months in before I found out. I stayed on my meds because my midwife suggested that the shock of going off of them might be harmful, and because studies had come out showing that babies exposed to SSRIs in utero were not developmentally affected. I breastfed that baby until he was two.

Both kids reached intellectual milestones a little early and are in gifted programs.

Son #1, the non-med-exposed one, has some sensory integration issues, very likely inherited from me, and has depression (he is on a kid-size dose of the same meds I am on). Son #2, the med-exposed one, has so far shown no signs of depression. They are currently 13 and 11, both honor roll students, and both of them are doing well socially. No extra fingers, either!

Tucker

[Name removed]

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